WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State claimed its first Lone Star Conference championship in 12 seasons with a 73-63 win over Texas Woman's in its regular season finale Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs also clinched the top seed in next week's LSC postseason tournament next week in Allen after Abilene Christian fell to Incarnate Word 68-53 earlier Wednesday in San Antonio.
 
MSU gained its NCAA Division II era regular season best 21st win by improving to 21-5 while moving to 16-4 in league play and do no worse than tie Abilene Christian, who fell to 15-4, for the conference title by virtue of the Mustangs' sweep of Tarleton State. ACU ends the regular season Saturday night against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
Senior forward Andrea Carter notched her 15th double-double of the season netting a career-high 23 points while pulling down 12 rebounds to go along with five steals to lead the way for the Mustangs.
 
Sophomore guard Dianna Jones, who finished with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds, ignited a 7-0 run late in the opening half with a 3-pointer from the left wing. Carter added a transition layup and hit a pair of free throws to build a 30-17 lead with 5:06 remaining in the first half.
 
The Pioneers (6-19, 4-15) clawed back to within 34-32 on a pair of Rebekah Cluley free throws two minutes into the second half, but the Mustangs reeled off the next 13 points re-establish command highlight by a 3-pointer by junior guard Kirsti Degelia and a three-point play by Carter as the Mustangs led 47-32 with 14:59 to go.
 
Texas Woman's whittled the deficit to eight points but could get no closer.
 
Degelia connected on three treys on her way to 17 points to give the Mustangs a trio of players in double figures.
 
Ria Pateraki led the way with 16 points while Cluley pitched in 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Pioneers.
 
Midwestern State opens LSC postseason tournament against an opponent to be determined (No. 8 seed) next Wednesday at the Allen (Texas) Event Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.