ABILENE, Texas – Eric Dawson embodied the spirit of the Midwestern State University Mustangs on Saturday against the Abilene Christian University Wildcats at Moody Coliseum.

The flu kept the 6-9 junior center from starting, but it didn't stop him from gutting out another big effort to help the Mustangs extend their winning streak to five games by beating ACU 84-72.

The win improves MSU to 15-9 on the season as they moved into sole possession of the fourth and final LSC South Division playoff spot at 4-5 on the season.

The Mustangs are now a half-game ahead of Eastern New Mexico, which doesn't play until it plays host to Angelo State Wednesday night.

MSU takes on third-place Texas A&M-Kingsville next Wednesday in Kingsville. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.

Dawson finished with his 13th double-double of the season with 13 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and two steals, while Chad Rickett led the Mustangs with 22 points with 12 of them coming by way of the charity stripe.

Midwestern State used a 17-3 run to turn a 44-36 deficit into a 53-47 advantage after Allen Houston converted a steal and a bucket.

Rickett fueled the run with seven points, while Dawson contributed three blocks and a steal during the streak that ballooned to 26-8 after LaKeith Grant canned a 12-foot jumper to give MSU a 62-52 advantage.

Midwestern a barrage of ACU 3-pointers as each of the Wildcats' starting five finished in double figures led by Demarcquez Rembert's 19 points on four treys.

Tiago Souza also had four 3s to finish with 17 points, while Mauro Matai had 12 and Will Alexander and Cameron had 10 each.

Grant joined Rickett and Dawson in double figures for the Mustangs with 14 points and five boards, and Chris Francois had 12 points and five boards.

The Wildcats stretched a two-point halftime lead into its biggest lead at 44-36 four minutes into the second half before the Mustangs went on their big run.