WICHITA FALLS, Texas - No. 32 Midwestern State battled back after suffering a doubles' sweep to St. Edward's, but the No. 23-ranked Hilltoppers held on for a 5-2 win Friday afternoon at the MSU Tennis Center.

The loss is the fourth-straight for the Mustangs, who fell to 8-9 on the season.

St. Edward's claimed wins in each of the three doubles' contests as Brett Powers/Mick Walter routed Tiago Valarinho/Daniel McMullan 8-0 at No. 1, Justin Raiti/Nick Arnold rolled over Vjekoslav Stipanic/Octavian Dinuta 8-3 at No. 2 and Bernard Lancaster/Boris Barrios doubled up Chad Meeks/Carlos Battaller 8-4 at No. 3.

Midwestern fought back with a pair of singles wins, spearheaded by Stipanic's 6-3, 6-1 decision over Powers at No. 1 while McMullan claimed a victory at No. 3 singles as Lancaster retired in the second set.

St. Edward's survived a pair of split-set matches to finish off the Mustangs with Raiti edging Vilarinho 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 2 and Walter nudging Bataller 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 4.

The Mustangs were leading at the Nos. 5 and 6 positions when the match was pulled off of the courts.

Midwestern plays host to the Lone Star Conference Championships beginning a week from next Friday with matches set for the MSU, Hamilton Park and Weeks Park tennis centers.

St. Edward's, which has won five of its last six matches, improved to 9-10 on the season.