Midwestern State vs. Oklahoma Christian
Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 | 7:30 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
Records: Midwestern State (6-1); Oklahoma Christian (2-4)
Radio: ESPN 95.5 FM
Video: Mustangs Digital Network (PPV)   
Audio: Mustangs Digital Network (Free)   
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com  

ON THE COURT
Midwestern State shoots for its fourth consecutive win Friday night as the Mustangs take on Oklahoma Christian at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
- Oklahoma Christian has won two of its last three since opening the season with consecutive home losses to Texas A&M-Commerce, Cameron and Central Oklahoma.
- The Eagles sandwiched wins over Southern Nazarene and Dallas Christian around an 83-70 loss to Oklahoma Christian. The Mustangs drilled OKC 103-51 in exhibition play earlier this season.
- OC is paced by 7-foot junior center John Moon, who averages 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
- Moon erupted for 38 points and 12 rebounds against Southern Nazarene (11/27) before going for 37 points and 13 boards against Dallas Christian the last time out. He has scored 20-or-more points in each of his last four outings.
- Former Burkburnett standout Elijah Strickland averages 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds after scoring in double figures in OC's first five games. Strickland is shooting 44.8 percent from 3-point range hitting 13-of-29 shots from beyond the arc.
- Junior forward Jordan Rutherford adds to Oklahoma Christian's strength down low averaging 11.5 points per game. He scored matching season highs of 16 points against Cameron and Central Oklahoma.
- Dan Hays in his 33rd season at the helm at Oklahoma Christian boasting a 648-385 record (.627).

ABOUT THE SERIES
- Midwestern State and Oklahoma Christian meet for the 34th time on the hardwood Friday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
- The Mustangs hold a 22-1 edge in the series which dates back to the 1961-62 season.
- MSU has won five of the last six meetings, but the programs have met just one time -- on Nov. 16, 2012 -- since the 1993-94 season.
- Oklahoma Christian makes its first appearance under the dome for a regular season game since taking an 87-77 loss on Feb. 20, 1984.
- Overall, Midwestgern is 11-3 against Oklahoma Christian in games played in Wichita Falls but is 4-3 versus the Eagles at Ligon Coliseum.

MUSTANGS NOTEBOOK
-  Midwestern State rolled off wins over No. 3 Bellarmine (Ky.) (77-71), Southern Indiana (86-69) and St. Mary's (77-66) after taking its lone loss of the season to Colorado State-Pueblo.
- The Mustangs have shot 49-percent or better from the field in five of six games this season.
- MSU was out-rebounded for the first time this season the last time out against St. Mary's (42-35). The Mustangs have controlled double-digit advantages on the rebounds on four occasions this season.
- Senior guard Bretson McNeal connected on two 3-pointers to finish with 15 points Tuesday against St. Mary's. He has knocked down a triple in each of MSU's seven games this season.
- Senior forward Khapri Alston notched his second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Alston upped his averages to 13.9 points and an LSC leading 9.6 rebounds.
- Senior forward DeVaughn Jones has converted each of his 13 field goal attempts at home. He went 7-for-7 for a career-high 17 points against Colorado State-Pueblo (11/24) and was a perfect 6-for-6 for 14 points Tuesday versus St. Mary's.
- Senior guard Hershell Grant dished out a season-high four assists Tuesday against St. Mary's.
- Junior guard Pat Smith made his first collegiate start against St. Mary's on Tuesday finishing with one point, two assists and two turnovers in 22 minutes.
- Senior forward Trevor Fuller has scored six points and pulled down seven rebounds in each of his last two outings. He has recorded a blocked shot in all seven games this season.
- Junior forward Magnus Richards scored seven points in 13 minutes off of the bench against St. Mary's.

MSU IN THE POLLS
- Midwestern State ranked 5th in last week's D2 Media Poll and 11th in the NABC Division II Poll. Both rankings are due for release Tuesday afternoon.
- The Mustangs are tied for first in this week's D2 Media Poll South Central Region Rankings with unbeaten Angelo State (7-0). St. Mary's (Texas) is rated ninth.
 
MUSTANGS IN NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
- MSU rates third in NCAA Division II in rebound margin (+14.5), fourth in total blocks (38.0) and fifth in blocked shots per game (6.3).
- Junior forward Trevor Fuller ranks 14th with 2.67 blocked shots per game.
- Senior guard Jordan Stevens ranks 92nd in points per game (19.7) and 35th in free throw percentage (94.4).
- Senior guard Bretson McNeal ranks 67th in 3-point field goal percentage (48.4).
- Senior forward Khapri Alston is 63rd in field goal percentage (60.8), 52nd in rebounds per game (9.3) and 14th in double-doubles (3.0).
 
THE HAGGERTY ERA
- Nelson Haggerty is in his fifth season at the helm for Midwestern State as one of the top young coaches in college basketball.
- Haggerty boasts a 103-31 mark (.768) leading the Mustangs to the NCAA Division II postseason in each of his campaigns at the helm and to  Lone Star Conference championships in each of his first three seasons as head coach.
- Haggerty earned NABC South Central Region and Lone Star Conference coach of the year honors in his rookie season of 2011-12 piloting the Mustangs to their third consecutive Elite Eight showing.
- With Haggerty on the bench (including two seasons as top assistant), MSU has advanced to three Elite Eights (2010, 2011, 2012) and to the NCAA Division II postseason six consecutive years.

NEXT TIME OUT
After the conclusion of finals week, Midwestern State plays host to Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Saturday, Dec. 12 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.