MSU Athletics

THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Midwestern State finished strong to claim its first win of the season rolling past Oklahoma Christian 72-68 Saturday afternoon in the Comfort Inn/Ashbrook Classic at D.L. Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs, who evened the season record at 1-1, play host to Texas Wesleyan Wednesday night under the dome. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
Senior Whitney Taylor matched a career high by firing in five 3-pointers on her way to a team-high 17 points as she moved past Mindy Myers (112 3s/1990-94) and Julie Lovett (115 3s/1993-97) into fourth on the program's all-time 3-point make list.
 
Senior forward Micheline Mercelita notched her fourth career double-double going for 15 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman Hannah Reynolds earned all-tournament honors completing a second straight strong effort with 12 points and six rebounds.
 
Taylor hit the first bucket of the game with a 3-pointers from the corner to give the Mustangs what would be their only lead of the first three periods.
 
OC's junior Addy Clift answered with a triple of her own on the Eagles' next possession. It was the start of a banner night for the all-tournament honoree, who led all scorers with 26 points.
 
Oklahoma Christian led by as many as 10 pointers and took a 54-47 edge into the final quarter.
 
The Mustangs rattled off a quick 10-0 run fueled by triples by Kristin Rydell and Taylor, a Mercelita layup and pair of free throws by Reynolds to pull within 58-57 with 7:41 to go.
 
OC answered with a Delyssa Miller 3-pointer to re-establish a four-point lead, but that only delayed the inevitable.
 
Rydell buried a second 3-ball to spur a 14-4 run for MSU over the next four minutes as the Mustangs took their biggest lead of the night at 71-65 on Reynolds' layup in traffic with 1:16 to play.
 
NOTES
- Midwestern State improved to 9-5 all-time in the Comfort Inn/Ashbrook Classic after splitting games over the weekend.
- Colorado Mesa's Jaylyn Duran earned Comfort Inn/Ashbrook Classic MVP honors. She was joined on the team by CMU's Ma'ata Epenisa, MSU's Hannah Reynolds, Cameron's Ava Battese and Oklahoma Christian's Addy Clift.
- Saturday marked the first meeting between the Midwestern State and Oklahoma Christian women's basketball programs since 1995. OC is set to join the Lone Star Conference for the 2018-19 academic year.
- Senior guard Whitney Taylor matched a career high with five 3-pointers. She moved into fourth place on the program's all-time 3-point make list with 116. She trails Lisa Hampton (154 3s/2011-15), Andrea Buben (132 3s/2006-10) and Kristin Ramsey (125 3s/2000-04).
- Freshman forward Hannah Reynolds has opened her career with back-to-back double-digit performances. She scored 10 points against Colorado Mesa on Friday then went for 12 points and six rebounds versus OC Saturday. She is the first freshman to score in double figures in her first two collegiate games since Shatoia Gober scored 10-plus in her first three games to start the 2011-12 season.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State takes on Texas Wesleyan Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.