WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State's Devante Pullum poured in a career-high 19 points to lead the Mustangs to a 68-57 win over Colorado State-Pueblo Sunday afternoon at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
"Devante had a great offseason, but has needed time to adjust to the speed of the game," MSU coach Nelson Haggerty said. "He is always going to come in the game and make something happen. Tonight, he did a lot of good things."
 
Pullum scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half working his way to the free throw line 10 times -- with nine makes -- while helping the Mustangs regain control of the game as part of a one-two punch along with junior Bretson McNeal, who was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the second half including three 3-pointers.
 
MSU used a strong defensive effort in the opening half limiting the Thunderwolves to 19.2-percent shooting (5-of-26) to open up a 15-point edge.
 
But Colorado State-Pueblo used a 14-4 run at the start of the second half to tie the game at 31-31 after Rico Spikes hit a pair of free throws with 15:45 to play.
 
The Mustangs answered with a pair of free throw by Pullum before McNeal knocked down his second 3-ball of the half and Pullum converted a layup in transition to push the lead back out to 38-31 with 12:15 to play.
 
Spikes answered with a three-point play to pull the Thunderwolves back to within four points with 11:57 to play before the Mustangs pulled away for good.
 
McNeal finished with 16 points to go along with four rebounds, three steals and a block, while junior forward Khapri Alston and junior guard Hershell Grant put up matching lines with eight points and four rebounds each.
 
Senior forward Tyrone Marshall had 13 points to lead Colorado State-Pueblo, while Spikes finished 11 points and five rebounds.
 
The Thunderwolves dropped their second straight game to fall to 3-2.
 
Midwestern State (3-1) takes on Henderson State (Ark.) Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.