WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The No. 23 ranked MSU Mustangs couldn't cash in at the free-throw line, falling to No. 12 Tarleton State 58-53 on Wednesday night.

The Mustangs (17-5, 6-2) scored eight more field goals (22) than Tarleton (14) in the game. The Texans (19-2, 6-2) made their hay at the charity stripe going 27-30 for the night, including a perfect 10-10 from starting point guard Mo Lee.

MSU got out of the gates quick with an opening alley-oop from Kevin Wagner to Derrell Gibbs to lead TSU 2-0. The Texans responded and took a five point lead following a foul by MSU's Kevin Wagner that sent TaShawn Mabry to the line for 3 free-throws. It was the first of two times in the first half that the Mustangs fouled a Texan in the act of shooting a triple.

MSU clawed back to tie the game at 20 with 5:14 to play in the first on a driving layup by senior forward Xavier Blackburn. Tarleton answered with a 9-4 run to close the half and take a 29-24 lead at the break.

The Texans hit the second half running, quickly gaining a ten point, 36-26, lead just two and a half minutes into the second frame after a 3 pointer from TSU guard Nosa Ebomwonyi.

The Mustangs defense clamped down after TSU guard Michael Hardge hit an open 3-pointer to give Tarleton a 44-37 advantage with 12:17 to play. Midwestern State only allowed two Texan points to be scored over the next 5:34 of game action. MSU used balanced scoring, including 5 straight points from Kevin Wagner, to finally tie the game at 50 with 3:41 left in the game.

Unfortunately, TSU closed the game on a 6-1 run including baskets by Mo Lee and TaShawn Mabry to salt away the victory. MSU had a few challenged shots at tying the game on back-to-back three point attempts by Bretson McNeal, but both efforts came up short.

Midwestern State could not find the stroke at the free throw line, shooting a paltry 26.7 percent from the stripe on 4-15 shooting. MSU outrebounded the Texans by a slim 39-37 margin, but allowed TSU to shoot 30 free throws on the evening, connecting on 27 for a 90 percent efficiency.

Xavier Blackburn led the charge for MSU scoring a game-high 21 points, including 3 three pointers, and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Texans were paced by TaShawn Mabry with 17 and Mo Lee with 16.

Next up for the Mustangs is a road date with Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday night, February 7. The Mustangs defeated the Javelinas at Ligon Coliseum by a score of 61-57 back on January 3.

Tip-off at A&M-Commerce Field House is set for 6 p.m. Play-by-play action can be heard on 95.5FM ESPN.