Box Score

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State spotted No. 11 Washburn (Kan.) the first nine points in the finale of the Ashbrook Classic Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
Then it was all Mustangs as MSU went on an extended 14-2 run to take a lead it would never relinquish in a 68-53 whipping of the previously unbeaten Lady Blues.
 
The win was Midwestern's first win over a ranked opponent since defeating then-No. 19 Angelo State on Feb. 19, 2004 as it was also the highest ranked opponent MSU has beaten since making the move to NCAA Division II prior to the 1996-97 season.
 
The Mustangs bounced back from Friday night's 97-96 loss to Central Missouri in double overtime to even their season record at 2-2.
 
The Mustangs used intense pressure to force Washburn into 24 turnovers which produced a commanding 22-5 edge in points off of turnovers, but it didn't look good early.
 
Washburn scored the first nine points of the game and led 9-0 when Stevie Shultz hit a layup at the 15:51 mark of the first half.
 
The Mustangs didn't score their first point until Shatoia Gober hit a runner in the lane with 14:55 to go in the opening half as part of a tradition three-point play
 
Sophomore forward Skyler Warrick followed with a pair of free throws then converted a tough layup in traffic to pull MSU within 9-7 at the 12:27 mark.
 
The Mustangs pulled even on a Kirsti Degelia transition layup before Washburn's Ebonie Williams ended the Lady Blues' 5-minute scoring drought with a jumper in the lane as WU led 11-9 with 10:10 to play in the first half.
 
It would be Washburn's last lead of the night.
 
MSU freshman Dianna Jones buried a trey on the ensuing possession to give the Mustangs the lead for good at 12-11 with 9:36 remaining in the first half.
 
Midwestern led by as many as eight points in the first half when Karissa Lang buried a trey to give the Mustangs a 25-17 advantage with 5:18 to go before intermission.
 
The Mustangs put the game away with an extended 25-8 run during a 7-minute stretch in the second half after Washburn pulled within 34-33 on a pair Laura McMullin free throws with 14:29 to play.
 
Carver culminated the run with a fast break jumper to give the Mustangs a 59-41 lead with 7:14 to play.
 
Senior forward Cierra Thompson paced Midwestern with 13 points and six rebounds while Degelia added 11 points and four assists. Carver added 10 points including a pair of 3-pointers.
 
Jones came off of the bench to scored nine points with two steals while Gober pitched in eight more points.
 
Williams led Washburn with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting as the Lady Blues fell to 6-1 on the season.
 
Midwestern State (2-2) takes on East Central (Okla.) Tuesday night at Kerr Center in Ada. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.