WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State shrugged off a sluggish start and a seven-point halftime deficit to bury Harding (Ark.) 69-58 in its season opener Saturday afternoon at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

Junior forward Nolisha Markham poured in 20 points and played a key role on the defensive end of the floor.

The transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M added three blocked shots and had four steals to spark a defensive effort that limited the Bison to 26.9-percent shooting (7-of-26) in the second half.

Junior guard Aqueelah Watkins also joined in on the block party as the transfer from Howard College via Robert Morris University led the team with four blocks as the Mustangs had nine swats as a team.

The aggressive defensive effort spread to the offensive end of the floor was sophomore forward Cierra Thompson scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half to help MSU go on a pair of extended to runs to put the game out of reach.

Sophomore Karissa Lang, who was making her first career start in place of the injured Michelle Duff, ignited an 11-0 run with 3-ball from the right wing at the 16:06 mark of the second half before Savannah Carver splashed in the second of her two treys from the right corner to give the Mustangs their first lead after halftime at 41-39 with 15:17 to go.

Thompson capped the run with a runner in the paint to beat the shot clock for a 44-39 lead with 12:55 to play.

Senior forward Emily Welborn flipped a pair of jumpers to key a 10-2 run as the Mustangs pushed the advantage to 59-48 after Lang hit a pair of free throws with 6:14 remaining.

The Bison would get no closer than seven the rest of the way.

Watkins added 10 points and five rebounds, while Carver and Lang finished with eight and seven points, respectively.

Sophomore forward Jazman Patterson gave the Mustangs a lift off of the bench with six points and five rebounds in 26 minutes of play.

Stacey Owens paced Harding with 15 points, while Bailey St. Claire added 13 points and five steals before fouling out in 23 minutes of court time.

The Mustangs return to action Friday afternoon in the Skyhawk Classic in Durango, Colo. against Western (Colo.) State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.