BOX SCORE (PDF)

THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Brandon Neel dropped in a game-high 17 points to lead Midwestern State to an 85-56 win over Oklahoma City in exhibition play Tuesday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Stars, who were ranked 12th in the NAIA preseason poll, brought a perfect 6-0 record into the game including an impressive win over D2 Southwestern Oklahoma State.
 
But the Mustangs limited OCU to a 30.5-percent shooting night extending the lead to double figures 12 minutes into the contest eventually expanding the margin to 39 when hometown freshman Trae Jones buried his lone triple of the game with 6:48 to play to make the score 79-40.
 
Neel connected on 7-of-9 shots from the floor including a 3-pointer lead a trio of MSU players in double figures with 17 points and seven rebounds to go along with a blocked shot and a steal.
 
Senior forward Josh Huntley narrowly missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds in 16 minutes off of the bench, while fellow senior Trey Kennedy notched 11 points and grabbed six boards.
 
Seven different Mustangs chased down at least five rebounds as MSU dominated the glass by a 52-38 margin resulting in a 14-5 edge in second-chance points.
 
Senior Nick Powell delivered another strong performance (9 points, 7 rebounds) shooting 4-of-6 from the floor with a pair of blocked shots and a steal in 17 minutes off of the bench, while senior Devante Pullum scored seven points and dished out a team-high five assists.
 
Senior forward Samuel Williams paced Oklahoma City with 16 points and six rebounds.
 
NOTES
- Midwestern State finnished the second half shooting 57.1 percent from the field to raise its game shooting percentage to 47.6. The Mustangs shot 39.3 percent against Arkansas-Fort Smith and 40.7 percent against Rogers State.
- MSU outrebounded Oklahoma City by a +14 margin after being out-boarded last weekend against Arkansas-Fort Smith and Rogers State.
- Six different MSU players connected on 3-pointers including two by Trey Kennedy and one each from Brandon Neel, Romello Walker, Trae Jones and Nick Powell.
- Midwestern State and Oklahoma City have faced off in each of the last five seasons with four of those counting as exhibitions.
- Midwestern State and Oklahoma City were originally slated to play on Oct. 30, but equipment issues involving a goal caused the game to be postponed.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State competes in the Comfort Inn Classic this weekend at Paul Wright Gym in Gunnison, Colo. The Mustangs take on Colorado Mesa Friday at 6 p.m., before taking on host Western State Saturday at 8 p.m. Both times are Central. The games air live on ESPN 95.5 FM.