PORTALES, N.M. - The MSU Mustangs clamped down on defense and on Eastern New Mexico, drilling the Greyhounds 77-42 on Sunday evening.

Midwestern State (14-3, 3-0) held Eastern New Mexico (7-8, 0-2) to an ice-cold 22.6 percent shooting for the game. The Greyhounds only connected on 12-of-53 from the field. That is a season best for the MSU defense.,The 42 points allowed by the Mustangs is also a season low for MSU opponents.

The Greyhounds only held a lead one time in the contest, 7-6, stemming from a John Gilliam 3-pointer just 3:48 into the game. A layup after an offensive rebound by Xavier Blackburn gave MSU the last last lead they would need at 8-7.

Both teams traded shots throughout the next 10+ minutes. ENMU would get to as close as 3 at the 5:27 mark, only to see the Mustangs close the half on a 13-4 run. The Mustangs led 34-22 at the half.

The interior play of MSU was a deciding factor in the game. MSU forwards Abiodun Adegoke, Xavier Blackburn, and Khapri Alston combined for 40 points on the night. MSU outscored the Greyhounds 34-6 in the paint. MSU also outrebounds ENMU 46-30, paced by Adegoke's game-high 12 boards.

Second half action belonged to the Mustangs as the 12 point halftime steadily rose to 20, 30 and even a 40 point lead at one time. The Mustangs used another great half of defense to hold ENMU to just 20.7 percent shooting.

The Mustangs once again saw balanced scoring offensively, notching 5 players in double digits. Xavier Blackburn led MSU with 14 points. MSU shot a blazing 50.9 percent for the game, while shooting just 7-18 from the free-throw line.

The Mustangs have won the last 6 meetings with the Greyhounds. This win gives MSU it's third 10-game winning streak of the Nelson Haggerty era.

Next stop for the Mustangs is Stephenville, Texas, where MSU will play Tarleton State (13-1, 1-1) on Wednesday night, January 14. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Wisdom Gym. The game can be heard live on 95.5 ESPN.