Game Book (PDF)

LAS VEGAS – Midwestern State committed 26 turnovers and was held to a 34.0 shooting percentage in a 65-45 loss to Western Washington Friday evening at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic at South Point Arena.

Sophomore guard Kristin Rydell came off the bench to lead Midwestern State (1-8) with a season-high 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting with a pair of three-pointers. Junior guard Jacquar Westbrooks scored in double figures for the third-straight game with 10 points while freshman forward Kendriana Washington added six points and recorded a team-high seven boards.

The Mustangs recorded nine points off six Western Washington (6-3) turnovers to take a 13-12 advantage after the first period. Westbrooks provided an early spark off the bench for the Mustangs in the opening quarter, scoring four-straight points for a 10-7 MSU lead late in the period. After the Vikings regained the lead at 12-11, sophomore guard Whitney Taylor drained a jumper in the final seconds of the period for an MSU lead after one.   

After Taylor gave the Mustangs a 15-12 advantage early in the second, senior post Kayla Bernsen helped the Vikings regain the lead at 19-17 before WWU connected on a pair of triples to extend its lead to 25-19 midway through the period.

A Westbrooks layup pulled Midwestern back within three at 27-24 late in the quarter before WWU stretched its lead to 31-24 at halftime.

In the third period, a layup by junior forward Tia Briggs gave the Vikings its first double-digit lead at 39-29 with just under five minutes to play in the frame. It was a back-and-forth battle between the teams the remainder of the quarter with WWU holding a 47-35 lead after three.  

The Vikings began the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run before sophomore guard Kristin Rydell ended the Vikings spurt with a three ball for a 54-38 score with eight minutes to play.

WWU continued to extend its advantage late in the contest, going up by as many as 23 points in the 65-45 win.

The Vikings shot 40.4 percent from the floor with Briggs pacing the offense with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Bernsen and junior guard Taylor Peacocke each added 11 points with Bernsen pulling down a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Aleisha Hathaway also reached double figures with 10 points.

WWU recorded 16 points off Midwestern miscues while holding a 17-7 edge in second chance points. The Mustangs out-rebounded the Vikings, 38-34.

Midwestern State continues play in the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic tomorrow evening with a 10 p.m. (CT) tipoff against Stonehill College (Mass.) in the tournament finale.