COMMERCE, Texas – The Midwestern State University Mustangs hit six-of-eight free throws in the final 50 seconds to hold on for a 79-76 road victory at Texas A&M University-Commerce Saturday afternoon.

MSU (9-5) had to come from seven points down in the second half to overcome the Lions (10-4) who were unbeaten at home this season.

Midwestern State led by as many as eight in the first half, and took a 38-32 lead into the half.

Both teams scored early in the half, then A&M-Commerce got a quick layup from Chris Fantroy to start a 16-3 run over the next four minutes, overcoming the six-point deficit to a 50-43 advantage on Ellis Kidd's three with 15:09 to play.

MSU answered the run 7-0 run to tie the game at 50-all and the game was back on.

A&M-Commerce held a 67-66 lead with 5:26 to play, when senior LaKeith Grant was fouled and hit a pair of free throws to take a lead MSU would not relinquish.

The Lions' Lamar Searight pulled A&M-C to one with 3:05 to play, hitting one-of-two free throws.  But junior Eric Dawson nailed a jumper, followed by a pair of Eddie Rowe free throws to take a five-point advantage with 50 seconds to play.

It was one of two five-point advantages MSU would have during the final minute, but the Lions answered both with three-pointers, the last by Searight with 4.1 seconds to play, cutting the MSU lead to 78-76.

MSU got the ball in play and Chad Rickett hit one-of-two free throws to force A&M-C to put up an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Dawson led MSU with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a pair of blocked shots. Tilmon Gaddy also scored 17 points, adding five boards. Rickett, who hit 4-of-6 free throws in the last minute, tallied 11 points for the game.

A&M-C got 18 points from Ellis Kidd, with Searight posting 12 points with seven rebounds and eight assists. Miller scored 11 points, 10 in the second half, and Fantroy collected 10 points.

MSU shot 47.5 percent from the floor, while A&M-Commerce shot 43.9 percent.  MSU hit just four threes in the game, with the Lions staying close thanks to 10 treys.

MSU begins a four-game home stand next Thursday when the Mustangs host Northeastern State in a double-header.  The men's game will tip about 8 p.m., following the NSU-MSU women's contest.