WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The old basketball sages always say defense never slumps.

Sometimes it just takes a while get to started.

Midwestern State shutdown Southwestern Oklahoma State for better than nine minutes to overcome a nine-point deficit as the Mustangs knocked out the Bulldogs 67-40 in Lone Star Conference crossover play Saturday afternoon at Rankin Williams Fieldhouse.

"We got down there for a stretch," MSU coach Grant McCasland said. "I felt like we were playing hard, but give those guys credit. They were pushing the ball down our throats for a little bit. When you're playing hard, it doesn't always equate success."

Southwestern pushed ahead with a 14-0 run capped by a Curtis Nickerson layup to take a 20-11 lead with 8:13 to play in the first half. That's when the Mustangs turned up the intensity.

"These guys buy into the fact we are going get things done defensively," McCasland said. "Sometimes it takes a little while to get that going on the floor, but we got it going and went on a little run to say the least."

SWOSU's Charleston Flemmings hit a 12-foot floater in the lane with 6:20 to play before MSU capped the rims and kept the Bulldogs off of the scoreboard for the next 9:08 of clock time spilling into the second half.

It was all part of a 21-2 run as the Mustangs pulled out for a 32-22 lead when Deuce Nichols connected on one of his three treys of the game with 19:04 remaining.

MSU senior guard Chris Hagan led the the Mustangs with 21 points and four assists in 32 minutes of play.

"He's playing with a really good pace to his game right now," McCasland said. "He knows if we move the ball, we're going to get better looks and those are at a premium."

Hagan was joined in double figures by Michael Loyd (14 points) and Nichols (13 points) as the Mustangs shot 58.1 percent from the field and connected on 10-of-20 shots from the arc.

The defense was even better as MSU limited the Bulldogs to 35.6 percent from the field and to 1-of-7 from the 3-point. SWOSU was averaging 6.2 treys and hitting 40.8 percent from downtown coming into the contest.

That all started in one spot, McCasland said.

"If they can get into the paint off of the first ball screen and rub, that makes their offense go," he said. "(Junior guard) Kevin (Loyd) just wouldn't let them get into the lane."

Kevin Loyd also contributed on the offensive end with two points and a game-high seven assists.

Midwestern State has now held five of its seven opponents to 54 points or less.

The Mustangs (6-1) take on Cameron Monday night at Aggie Gym in Lawton, Okla. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. or 25 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game which begins at 6.

Southwestern Oklahoma fell to 7-3.