KINGSVILLE, Texas - Midwestern State came at Texas A&M-Kingsville in waves Wednesday night at Steinke Center.

But it wasn't enough to overcome an experienced Javelina squad as TAMUK found a way past the Mustangs for a 72-63 Lone Star Conference South Division win.

"They play with six senior and they willed some shots in," MSU coach Noel Johnson said. "We're just not that point yet."

MSU made strides as Johnson went to the press and substituted freely in the opening 30 minutes of the contest before the Mustangs made adjustments due to foul trouble.

"I wanted freshness and intensity," Johnson said. "I think that made a difference in their mental approach to the game."

The Mustangs came out of the gates on fire led by senior forward Emily Welborn hit her first three 3-pointers with the third one giving MSU a 24-23 lead with 7:15 to go in the first half.

But senior guard Andrea Buben got in the on the 3-point act with two of her in the first half while Cierra Thompson and Nolisha Markham hit a trey apiece as MSU took just its second lead into the half during South Division play after Buben's second 3 with 21 seconds remaining made the score 36-34.

Senior guard Michelle Duff hit a runner in the lane to start the second half before the Javelinas used a 14-1 run beginning with a Felicia Soza 3-pointer to take 48-39 lead when Kayla Naylor hit a layup with 15:21 to play.

The Mustangs fought back with a 7-0 run midway through the half and pulled within 52-50 with Buben's third trey with 7:35 to play.

The 3-pointer was the Duncan native's 126 career 3-pointer which made Buben MSU's all-time leader in makes beyond the arc as she passed former MSU standout Kristin Ramsey, who made 125 treys from 2000-04.

"Congratulations to Ace, she definitely deserves it," Johnson said of Buben, who led MSU 14 points and pulled in five rebounds. "She got in fought for some tough boards that gave us momentum late."

The Mustangs were able to pull even with Texas A&M-Kingsville on two more 3-pointers by Markham at the 5:00 mark, but couldn't pull ahead as the Javelinas used a 10-3 run to take control of the game down the stretch.

"I am so proud of these girls," Johnson said. "We did have some defensive breakdowns in the final minutes, but we did play with a lot of heart."

Senior forward Aqueelah Watkins pitched in 12 points and eight rebounds for the Mustangs, while Markham finished with 10 points and four rebounds.

Naylor paced the Hoggies with 22 points.

Midwestern State, which dropped to 6-17 on the season and 0-10 in the LSC South, plays host to Abilene Christian Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Texas A&M-Kingsville improved to 18-6 and 6-3.