ABILENE, Texas -- Throw out the records. Throw out the time of season. Drama always rules when Midwestern State squares off with Abilene Christian at Moody Coliseum.
 
And Thursday night was no exception as the Mustangs needed a big steal and a block in the closing seconds to hang on for a 72-71 win to improve to 9-3 on the season and to 5-0 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
"These guys are never afraid," MSU coach Nelson Haggerty said. "They are aggressive and always trying to make plays. These guys are coming together to play for each other and that's been fun to watch."
 
MSU overcame a 9-point deficit with 6:23 to play and took the lead for a final time after Kevin Grayer stripped LSC leading scorer Eric Lawton leading to a Corbin Thomas layup to the Mustangs a slim one-point lead with 17 seconds to play.
 
Abilene Christian worked their offense appearing to free Lawton for a baseline 3-pointer in the closing seconds but Williams recovered to swat the ball into the north wall at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats were left with 0.3 seconds for a final inbounds play but Derrell Gibbs leaped high to tip away the ball to preserve the win for the Mustangs.
 
"Every game we've played, it's gone down to the wire here and sometimes past that," Haggerty said. "We were able to get in there and make some plays. Basketball is a game of runs. We got down and made some plays late."
 
MSU survived ACU by a point last season at Moody on the strength of a Michael Loyd technical free throw after the Wildcats connected on a 3-pointer that might have sent the game to overtime. And back in 2009-10, the Mustangs needed a tip-in by Craig Green to claim a one-point overtime win. Overall, the Mustangs have dominated the series with wins in 16 of the last 17 games.
 
The Mustangs led by as many as 11 points in the opening half led as junior forward Derek Kaster matched a season-high with 13 points -- all in the opening half.
 
Abilene Christian rallied to claim a 34-33 halftime lead and extended the advantage going into the second half.
 
Williams dropped in a game-high 19 points while junior guard Keith Spellman returned from injury to score 14 points while Cam Adderley scored 12 points after intermission.
 
"Zaigo was great throughout the whole game," Haggerty said. "We were able to get in transition and get some buckets before they were able to set up."
 
Lawton finished with 17 points and seven assists to lead the Wildcats and was joined in double figures by Steven Werner (15 points, 6 rebounds) and Elliott Lloyd (14 points).
 
Abilene Christian slipped to 5-6 on the season and to 1-4 in LSC play.
 
Midwestern State takes on Angelo State Saturday night at Junell Center/Stephens Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.