WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The 24th ranked Midwestern State University Mustangs saw the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos reel in an eight-point MSU lead in the final three minutes, but held on to take a 78-74 victory Friday night in the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Gerald Stockton Court in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

MSU (22-6) saw UCO (20-8) tie the game five times, but never allowed the Bronchos to gain the lead in the hotly contested game.

MSU jumped out to a 14-point lead at 31-17 with 4:02 to play in the first half, only to see the Bronchos answer with a 7-0 run heading into intermission.

MSU led 36-31 at the break.

The first UCO run came in the second half as Demarco Latham totally erased the Mustangs lead capping a 7-0 run with a layup with 14:48 to play.

Eric Dawson got a conventional three-point play to give MSU the lead after a third tie in the game, only to see UCO tie the game again at the foul line.

The teams tied for the final time with 11:16 to play at 49-all when it was MSU's turn to take a run.

Coming with a fast break off the tying layup, Jeremy Ford buried a three-pointer, followed by a trey from Chad Rickett and a third from Coffman for a nine-point lead.

The Mustangs remained in control, holding an eight-point advantage with 3:05 to play at 72-64.

The Bronchos had a final run in them, getting free throws from John Neals to start a 8-1 run that had the game at 73-72 with 1:41 to play after Sam Belt made the first of two free throws.

But the Broncho junior missed the second charity toss.

MSU's Coffman, an 84 percent free throw shooter, missed the first of two tosses, but made the second with 1:16 to play for a two point advantage.

After a missed UCO shot and turnovers by both teams, Coffman was fouled with eight seconds to play.  He calmly sank both free throws for the four-point lead at 76-72.

Latham got an uncontested layup with three seconds left when Rickett was fouled on the inbounds pass.  The Houston Clear Lake senior buried both shots and the Mustangs were in the LSC Finals.

Dawson led the way for MSU with 23 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots, while Rickett added 19 points and Coffman 18 with four assists.

Dawson was 7-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the line, despite playing in foul trouble in the second half.  Coffman went 10-of-11 from the line and Rickett 9-of-10.

Anthony Brown and Jason Arbet led the Bronchos with 14 points and seven rebounds each, while Brian Walker had 13 points and Sam Belt 11 with six boards and five assits.

The top two seeds in the tournament, MSU and Southeastern Oklahoma State meet in the LSC Championship Game Saturday night. SOSU beat West Texas A&M 83-76 in the other semifinal.  Tipoff is at 7 p.m.