PUEBLO, Colo. -- Colorado State-Pueblo used a balanced scoring attack to send Midwestern State to its first loss of the season 89-76 Saturday night in the Al Kaly Classic at Massari Arena.
 
The Thunderwolves (2-0) broke open a close game with a 9-0 run at the start of the second half to stretch the lead to 53-40 punctuated by a Bronson Moton dunk with 16:24 to play.
 
Junior guard Rico Spikes nabbed Al Kaly Classic MVP honors after pouring in a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds after helping CSU-P to season opening wins over West Texas A&M and MSU.
 
Senior center Tyrone Marshall, who also earned all-tournament team honors, added 15 points and eight rebounds off of the bench.
 
Midwestern State erased an early eight-point deficit to surge to a 25-18 lead on the strength of a 10-0 run midway through the first half keyed by back-to-back 3-pointers by Bretson McNeal and Xavier Blackburn.
 
The duo also earned all-tournament honors as McNeal followed a 25-point outing Friday against Western State Colorado with a game-high 19-point effort against the Thunderwolves. Blackburn finished with 15 points and six rebounds on the heels of a double-double against Western State.
 
But Colorado State-Pueblo closed the half with a 10-1 run before stretching the lead to 18 after intermission.
 
The Thunderwolves knocked down 30-of-40 shots from the charity stripe, while Midwestern managed 13 makes in just 19 attempts while holding a 31-20 edge in the foul column.
 
Junior Hershell Grant finished with 12 points and six rebounds to headline MSU's reserves while Tavarion Nix and Devante Pullum had six points each off of the bench.
 
Midwestern State takes on Science & Arts (Okla.) in its home opener Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.