The Mustangs carry a 10-game winning streak and first place in the Lone Star Conference into a rematch with Eastern New Mexico on Saturday.
Midwestern State (17-3, 12-2) is coming off a 58-55 triumph at West Texas A&M on Wednesday. Eastern New Mexico (5-17, 4-10) collected a 53-48 win over Cameron at home on Wednesday.
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Ligon Coliseum in Wichita Falls.
WHERE TO FIND THE GAME
100.9 BOB-FM - The broadcast features the play-by-play voice of two-time Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year Bill Powers. The Taco Casa Pregame Show begins at 2:45 pm.
On the Web - BOB-FM's audio broadcast simulcasts on bobradio.fm. LINK
Live Stats - Live stats are available courtesy of the MSU Athletic Communications office. LINK
ABOUT THE MUSTANGS
Midwestern State opens a four-game homestand, the season's longest, while in the midst of a 10-game win streak.
The 10-game streak is the longest winning streak this season and tied for the second longest in MSU history. MSU is alone in first place in the Lone Star Conference, a half-game ahead of Tarleton State in the standings.
The Mustangs are paced by the powerful duo of junior Kirsti Degelia and sophomore Andrea Carter.
Degelia, who was the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week after chalking up a career-high 27 points against Tarleton State, leads the Mustangs offensively. The honorable mention All-Lone Star Conference performer a season ago is a junior from Denton, Texas/Krum is second in the LSC in scoring with 16.0 points a game (77th in Division II), and is second in the league with 3.6 assists a contest while grabbing 4.6 rebounds a game.
Carter has won the LSC Defensive Player of the Week award three times to go with the LSC Offensive Player of the Week award she has also collected earlier this season. She has posted 10 double-doubles in 20 games this season (14th in Division II). The sophomore from Angleton is second on the team and 10th in the LSC with a 12.0 scoring average. She leads the squad, is second in the LSC and 22nd nationally with 10.3 rebounds and is second in the conference with 2.4 steals a contest (83rd in Division II).
Sophomore Shatoia Gober of Waco, Texas/Midway contributes 9.6 points a contest to go with her 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals an outing. She is also shooting 48.4 percent from the floor (78-of-161).
MSU is averaging 69.0 points with 40.5 rebounds a game. The Mustangs allow opponents 58.6 points a contest.
The Mustangs women begin their annual Play 4 Kay/Cancer Awareness week when they face Eastern New Mexico.
Corresponding with the same week of the WBCA's sponsored campaign honoring the late North Carolina State coach Kay Yow, the Mustangs will don pink uniforms (donated by Texas Oncology) for games at Ligon Coliseum Feb. 9, 13 and 16.
Fans have the opportunity to place silent auction bids to purchase the uniforms, along with other selected items, with the proceeds being donated to fund cancer research.
It's the third year MSU has supported this effort.
ABOUT THE ZIAS
Eastern New Mexico has won consecutive games for just the second time this season with the victory over Cameron to go with an 81-73 win against Abilene Christian.
The Zias of coach Lindsey Wilson are 5-17 overall, 4-10 in the LSC. The Zias have won twice away from Portales: a neutral site win over BYU-Hawaii 66-45 in Alaska, and a 65-58 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Senior guard Tara Johnson of Portales, N.M., leads the squad with 7.5 points a game to go with her 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Sophomore guard Ashlee Pierson of Clovis, N.M., adds 7.2 points a contest to go with 2.6 rebounds and her 1.8 steals (fifth in the LSC).
Freshman forward Nelsha Peterson of Palestine, Texas and Mesquite, Texas/Horn HS averages 6.6 points with 3.3 rebounds, while Senior guard Hannah Altheide of El Paso, Texas/Chapin chips in 6.4 points with 1.1 3-pointers, while sophomore forward Jasmine Johnson leads the team with 4.8 rebounds a contest.
The Zias average 51.9 points a game (11th in the LSC), while allowing 64.5 ppg (eighth in the LSC).
ABOUT THE SERIES
Midwestern State faces Eastern New Mexico for the 36th time when they meet at Ligon Coliseum on Saturday.
Midwestern State holds a 19-16 lead in the series dating back to 1986 and leads 11-7 at Ligon Coliseum.
This is the second meeting of the season for MSU and ENMU. The Zias upset the No. 25 Mustangs 70-62 in Portales on Dec. 31, 2012.
The loss napped a four-game winning streak for the Mustangs in the series.
Last season, Midwestern won both games, 70-67 in overtime on on Jan. 14, 2012 in Portales, and 64-55 on Feb. 25, 2012 at Ligon Coliseum.
The last time ENMU defeated MSU under the Dome was on Feb. 13, 2010 when the Zias claimed a 51-49 victory.
-- MSUMustangs.com --
