WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Midwestern State University Mustangs won the top four singles matches Friday afternoon to post a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over top-seeded Abilene Christian University and win the 2006 Lone Star Conference Men's Tennis Championship at Hamilton Park.

No. 23 MSU (17-5) trailed No. 19 ACU (19-9) 2-1 after doubles action, where freshman Stefan McKinney and Jared King picked up the only win at number three.

But it was the singles play that pulled MSU through.

Junior Brett Emerson dispatched ACU's Casper Steenkamp 6-4, 6-4 at number one singles to even the match at 2-2.  ACU answered with Ryan Hudson's 6-4, 7-5 win over sophomore Zac Dillard at number five to take a 3-2 advantage.

But junior Charles van Swelm won a second set tie breaker for a 6-2, 7-6 triumph against Juan Nunez at number three to even the match.

Senior Gene Ligeon gave MSU push with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win at number four over George Carstens, then McKinney gave MSU the title.

The freshman downed Jason Ray at number two 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 to end the match.

The victory gives MSU the LSC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Championships that begin with regional play on May 4.

MSU had the opportunity for the win with an earlier come-from-behind 5-3 win over Cameron in the semifinals.

The match, suspended from Thursday because of rain, was also won on the strength of singles play.  Emerson, McKinney, van Swelm and King all picking up wins to overcome a 2-1 Cameron lead in doubles when play was halted.

The LSC Women's title match held excitement as well, with Abilene Christian edging Northeastern State 5-4.

The match came down to the number four singles.  With the match knotted at 4-4, ACU's Lana Pavlin defeated NSU's Amanda Stone when Stone had to retire because of an injury with the match at 7-6, 4-6, 5-2.

Earlier in the day, ACU defeated the MSU women 6-0 in the semifinals.  ACU is ranked 19th nationally and first in the region, while MSU (15-5) is 27th nationally and fourth in the region.

With the title ACU earns the LSC's automatic bid.  MSU is expected to receive a bid to the NCAAs as well.