WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State proved it had the closer's mentality while improvig to 3-0 with a 68-54 win over Fort Lewis (Colo.) to close the Comfort Inn/Ashbrook Classic Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

Sophomore forward Andrea Carter tallied her third consecutive double-double finishing with a game-high 17 points while ripping down 13 rebounds to go along with four steals, while guards Kirsti Degelia and Shatoia Gober had 14 points each.

Midwestern erupted for a 22-3 run over the final 8:58 of the first half after Kaile Magazzeni's driving layup gave Fort Lewis an 18-16 lead. It would be the last time the Skyhawks would have an advantage.

Freshman Hannah Selzer bombed in a trey from the top of the key to start the deluge as Carter would score seven points during the run as the Mustangs took a commanding 38-21 lead into the break.

Led by Christie Groh's 11-point, 13-rebound effort, Fort Lewis used a zone to chip away at the MSU advantage pulling to winthin five points at 57-52 on Mary Brinton's layup with 3:30 to play.

That's when Carter reasserted her presence scoring nine points during a game closing 11-2 run to seal the victory.

Alex Easterbrook knocked down a pair of treys to lead the Skyhawks with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists while Ashley Kuchar and Groh tallied 11 points each.

Midwestern State hits the road to face Oklahoma Panhandle State next Sunday at 4 p.m.

The Mustangs start Lone Star Conference the following week with trips to Incarnate Word and Texas A&M-Kingsville before returning to the dome to face West Texas A&M on Dec. 5.