WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State's starting lineup gave the Mustangs a big-time advantage Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum helping MSU out to big first-half advantage.

But it wasn't enough to hold Chuck Guy and a big Tarleton State bench effort as the Texans came away with an 83-81 win in Lone Star Conference.

No. 6-ranked TSU improved its best start in program history to 14-0 while taking sole possession of first-place in the league race at 3-0, while the Mustangs fell to 11-5 and 3-1.

Midwestern State enjoys a week off before taking on Angelo State Wednesday night at Junell Center/Stephens Arena. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.

Junior forward Xavier Blackburn notched his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds while connecting on a pair of 3-pointers.

In fact, the Mustangs enjoyed their best shooting night from the arc this season hitting on 11-of-21 treys (52.4 percent) as senior forward Eddie D'Haiti stepped out to nail each of his three attempts to finishing with 13 points and six rebounds.

Senior guard Monzaigo Williams also hit three 3s to finish with 14 points and six rebounds, while senior DeJuan Plummer came off the bench to connect with a pair of 3-balls to finish with 13 points.

The Mustangs struck the first salvo hitting for a 10-2 run out of the gate then used a 12-2 spurt to push the lead to a game-high 12 points at 28-16 when Derrell Gibbs hit a layup 8:03 before halftime.

But the Texans would draw even before the half before Blackburn connected on a trey from the left baseline to account for MSU's 42-39 halftime edge.

The Texans primarily went to the bench to produce a 55.2-percent shooting half after intermission as Tashawn Mabry and Damion Clemons had 16 each and Emmanuel Andrews pitched in 13 points in reserve roles as Tarleton controlled a 52-23 edge in bench points.

Guy, who would finish with 20 points and five assists, gave Tarleton its first two-possession led on a 3-pointer for a 67-63 edge. The Texans would push the lead to 71-66 on a Guy tip-in basket with 5:57 to go.

But the Mustangs rallied with a 7-2 run to tie the game on Blackburn's traditional three-point play at 73-73 with 4:07 to play, but Andrews answered with a 3-pointer to give the Texans the lead for good.