Box Score (PDF)

THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State shot 52.8 percent and doubled up Texas A&M-Commerce in the second half to overcome a 10-point first half deficit and coast to a 78-57 victory Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
After trailing by three at the half, a three-pointer by Igor Ibaka with 18:13 remaining gave Midwestern State (13-6, 6-4 LSC) a lead it would not relinquish.
 
The Mustangs held Texas A&M-Commerce (14-5, 6-4 LSC) to just one field goal in the first 7:52 of the second half to stretch their lead to 12 at 49-37. A 6-0 run brought the visitors back to within seven midway through the half but a three-point play for Brandon Neel pushed the MSU lead to double figures just one minute later.
 
The Maroon and Gold continued to pull away from the Lions the final 10 minutes of play with a Neel three-pointer giving the Mustangs their biggest lead of the game at 76-53 with 2:59 to play.
 
Malik Albert recorded 12 of TAMUC's first 22 points of the game for a 22-12 advantage following a 9-0 run with 10:19 to play in the first half. A pair of three-point plays by Magnus Richards and Pat Smith pulled the Mustangs to within four at 22-18 just one minute later. Back-to-back baskets for Smith with five minutes left in the half gave MSU its first lead since 10-9. The Mustangs were held without a field goal the final 2:44 of the period with the Lions taking a 33-30 lead at the break.  

NOTES
- Igor Ibaka posted his 11th double-double of the season and fifth straight with 18 points and 13 rebounds while matching a career-best three blocks for the third-straight contest
- Brandon Neel reached double figures for the 13th-straight game, matching Ibaka with a team-high 18 points
- Pat Smith added 13 points while dishing out a team-best five assists
- Midwestern State shot 45.6 percent from the floor while holding Texas A&M-Commerce to just 32.8 percent shooting
- The Mustangs went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line for a season-high 91.7 percent
- Malik Albert led TAMUC with 16 points while Jovan Austin also reached double figures with 11 points

STAT OF THE GAME
24 – Midwestern State outscored Texas A&M-Commerce by 24 in the second half, 48-24

UP NEXT 
Midwestern State plays host to No. 14 Tarleton State for a 4 p.m. rivalry matchup Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.