CANYON, Texas - The Midwestern State Mustangs couldn't overcome the first half barrage of West Texas A&M, falling to the Buffaloes 73-60 on Wednesday night.

The loss in Canyon was the first in three years for MSU. The Mustangs (18-6, 7-3) won the previous matchup with the Buffs (15-9, 5-5) when they met on January 7 in Wichita Falls. MSU won that game 73-58.

West Texas was hot from downtown in the first half, keeping them in the lead. The Buffs nailed 7 triples, exactly half of their first half 14 baskets were threes. MSU was also outrebounded by WT by a 23-17 margin.

The Mustangs fell behind 6-0 to start the game and battled back to an 11-11 tie with 12:51 to play in the first. That tie was as close as MSU could get as the Mustangs would never hold a lead in the game.

The Mustangs again couldn't cash in at the charity stripe, going just 5-13 in the first half, compared to WTAMU's 9-11 effort. The Buffs led 44-27 at the break.

Things would get marginally better for the Mustangs in the second half. MSU crashed the boards, outrebounding the Buffs 28-12 in the second half.

The three point line was still cold for MSU in the second half, hitting on just 2-of-9 attempts. The two made triples is a season low for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs found a better rhythm at the FT line, shooting 13-19 in the second half.

Midwestern State cut the lead to as close as seven twice in the second half, once as late as 5:32 remaining in the game following 2 free throws by Bretson McNeal. McNeal scored 10 of his team-high 14 points in the second half.

Kevin Wagner and Xavier Blackburn both added 10 points each for the Mustangs. Blackburn grabbed 12 rebounds followed by Khapri Alston with 10.

Next time out for the Mustangs is a Valentine's day date with the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds on Saturday, February 14. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.