MSU Men's Basketball Game Day

Midwestern State returns from the break back to Lone Star Conference action Monday afternoon against Eastern New Mexico. Tipoff from Greyhound Arena in Portales is set for 5 p.m. (Central Time).
 

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MUSTANGS FAST BREAK

LAST TIME OUT: Senior guard Kevin Grayer dropped in 13 points in the second half to lead Midwestern State to an 81-73 win over Mid-America Christian on Dec. 17 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The Mustangs trailed at halftime for the eighth consecutive game and overcame an eight-point deficit to move to 7-3 on the season. Grayer completed a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while dishing out six assists. Senior forward Corbin Thomas had 18 points and five boards -- all offensive -- while junior point guard Monzaigo Williams pitched in 14 points and sophomore Derrell Gibbs completed a solid all-around effort with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. MSU dominated on the glass by a 43-27 margin.
 
MUSTANGS TOP LSC STANDINGS: Midwestern State (7-3, 3-0) is one of two remaining two unbeaten teams remaining in Lone Star Conference play. The Mustangs maintain a half-game lead on Texas A&M-Commerce (9-3, 2-0) and are just a game ahead of Eastern New Mexico (5-6, 2-1).
 
TURNING IT ON IN THE SECOND HALF: Midwestern State has trailed at halftime in each of its last seven games and in eight of 10 games this season. To compound that, the Mustangs have faced double-digit opening half deficits in each of its last five of its last six games. MSU shoots just 39.2 percent as a team and owns a narrow +0.9 rebounding margin prior to intermission. On the flip side, Midwestern has outscored the opposition in the second half in each of their 10 games by an average margin of 10.3 points a game. The Mustangs connect on 48.5-percent of their shots from the field after intermission while out-rebounding the opposition by a +8.4 margin.
 
JUST GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE: Midwestern State has out-rebounded the opposition in each of its 10 outings this season as the Mustangs lead the Lone Star Conference in rebounding margin (+9.5), offensive rebounds per game (16.9) and offensive rebound percentage (45.1). MSU has converted 169 offensive rebounds into 170 second chance points which accounts for an astounding 22.8-percent of its total scoring output.
 
ODDS AND ENDS: Senior forward Corbin Thomas paced the Mustangs in scoring in each of their last three games averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds a game... Senior guard Kevin Grayer notched his first double-double of the season with 14 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Monday's win over Mid-America Christian... Sophomore guard Derrell Gibbs notched a season-high with 11 points and added five rebounds and three assists Monday against Mid-America Christian... Junior point guard Monzaigo Williams notched double figures in five of his last six games notching 14 points in both games last week against Arkansas Tech and Mid-America Christian... Junior forward Eddie D'Haiti notched as season-high six assists Monday against Mid-America Christian and has accounted for all nine assists this season in the last three games...
 
NEXT TIME OUT: Midwestern State heads from the holiday break right into the most critical stretch of the schedule. The Eastern New Mexico game tips off a stretch of playing five of six conference contests on the road. The Mustangs battle Abilene Christian and Angelo State on Thursday and Saturday this week before heading to Texas A&M-Commerce on Jan. 9. MSU's lone home game of the stretch comes against rival Tarleton State on Sat., Jan. 12.
 

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SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

EASTERN NEW MEXICO
// Monday, 12.31.2012 // 5 p.m. // Greyhound Arena // Portales, N.M.
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Eastern New Mexico (5-6, 2-1) rides a three-game skid into Monday afternoon's Lone Star Conference tilt with Midwestern State. The Greyhounds dropped a 66-56 decision at Cameron on Dec. 12 before battling Division I Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo to with 60-57 two nights later in California. BYU extended ENMU's losing streak to three games dispatching the 'Hounds 95-62 on Dec. 18 in Provo. Eastern New Mexico is 3-3 against Division II competition this season and 2-1 on its home floor.
 
Junior Rodney Blackmon leads a trio of Eastern New Mexico players with double figure scoring averages. The 5-11 guard from Los Angeles scores 17 points and 5.5 assists per game and claimed high-point honors for the 'Hounds in seven of 11 games this season. Junior Rafael Love adds 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds a game as an inside-outside threat. The 6-4 guard from Woodland Hills, Calif. connects at a 49.5-percent clip from the field including a 45.3 percent shooting from the arc (24-of-53). Junior forward Dennis Hardwell pitches in 10.3 points and 6.2 boards a game while freshman forward Lawrence Domingo (7.9 points, 3.8 rebounds) and junior guard Jordan Romero (7.4 points, 3.4 assists) give the 'Hounds two more quality scoring options.

About the Series: Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico meet for the 38th time on the hardwood Monday afternoon at Greyhound Arena in Portales. The Mustangs own a 22-15 edge in the series that dates back to the 1948-49 season and have claimed wins in 10 of the 11 games of the series. Eastern New Mexico snapped MSU's nine-game run with an 80-72 win over the Mustangs last season in Portales. The teams have split the 18 games of the series played in Portales.