WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State rode yet another big second half to an 81-73 win over Mid-America Christian in non-conference play Monday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
For the seventh consecutive game, the Mustangs trailed at halftime. And for the 10th time in as many games, MSU proved to be the better team after intermission.
 
Senior guard Kevin Grayer tallied 13 of his 14 points in the second half but it was his all-around game that allowed the Mustangs to overcome trailing by eight at the half to outscore the Evangels 51-35 in the second half.
 
MSU rallied to tie the game five minutes into the final period at 43-43 on a Cam Adderley jumper, but the teams exchanged the lead 11 times and experienced four ties before the Mustangs pulled away late.
 
Midwestern used a methodical 14-4 run culminating in a pair of free throws by Grayer to claim a 77-67 lead with 2:49 to play.
 
The Mustangs continued a season-long trend of slow starts shooting 34.4 percent from they held in the opening half including a 0-for-6 showing from the arc. But Midwestern mastered MACU's alternating man/zone defenses to shoot 50 percent from the field in the second half while going nearly perfect from the free throw line (15-of-16).
 
MSU also continued the trend of board dominance by outworking the Evangels 43-27 on the glass converting 23 second-chance points.
 
Grayer added a season-high 12 rebounds to lead the charge to go along with six assists, while senior forward Corbin Thomas tallied 18 points and five rebounds.
 
Senior point guard Monzaigo Williams pitched in 14 points while sophomore guard Derrell Gibbs added an all-around performance with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes.
 
Junior forward Eddie D'Haiti showed inside touch with six points, six assists and four rebounds.
 
Senior guard Charlie Shorter poured in 24 points to lead the Mid-America Christian while Angelo Lewis added 22 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
 
Midwestern State enjoys a two-week Christmas break before taking on Eastern New Mexico on Dec. 31 in Portales, while Mid-America Christian battles Arkansas Tech Wednesday night in Russellville.