CANYON, Texas – Chad Rickett's free throws and Eric Dawson's rebounds spelled the difference in the final 90 seconds as the Midwestern State University Mustangs defeated the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes 61-55 Saturday night to take the top seed from the Lone Star Conference South at the First United Bank Center.

MSU (20-6, 9-3) shares the LSC South title with WTAMU (17-9, 9-3), but gets the top spot by sweeping the Buffaloes.

The victory was just the second in Canyon since 1985 for MSU.

After leading 32-29 at the half, Midwestern State pulled out to a 12-point 51-39 lead with 8:35 to play in the game.

But West Texas, playing without three starters, wouldn't die.

The Buffs went on a 8-0 run over the next three minutes to pull within four.

The Mustangs climbed back out to a six-point lead after a Drew Coffman three with 3:54 to go, but the Buffs answered with three free throws and tied the game with 1:13 left when Pierre Barlow buried a three-pointer from the right wing.

But that would be the last time WT would score.

MSU regained the lead after Chad Rickett missed a layup, but Eric Dawson was there with a rebound and followup layup with 42.1 seconds left.

WT's Kevin Green drove the paint on the next possession and had his shot blocked by Chris Reay with the rebound going to Rickett.

The senior from Houston Clear Lake hit both charity tosses for a four-point advantange, then following another WT miss, hit two more to ice the game.

MSU was paced by the 14 points of Rickett, while Coffman added 13 points and Chris Davis 10.  Dawson collected his 19th double-double of the year with 11 points and 15 rebounds.  He was officially credited with one blocked shot.

WT got 19 points from Chris Hinz, while Barlow had 13 points.

MSU shot 44 percent from the floor, but defensively held WT to just 36 percent shooting.  The Mustangs also outrebounded the Buffs 36-30.

The Mustangs host a Lone Star Conference quarterfinal game against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Ligon Coliseum.  A victory Tuesday would also allow MSU to host the tournament semifinals and championship game next Friday and Saturday.