THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Midwestern State appeared on the brink of breaking the game open from tip to buzzer Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs extended its lead to 10 points on five occasions in the second half, but could never push it any further. And was the final margin as MSU improved to 2-1 with a 69-59 win over Texas Wesleyan.
 
Midwestern (2-1) played deep into the bench as 12 of the 14 girls logging court time scored points paced by senior guard/forward Whitney Taylor, who was the only Mustang in double figures with 12 points and five rebounds.
 
The Mustangs struggled from the floor hitting shots at a 31.3-percent clip, but also stood tall on the defensive end limiting the Rams to a 30-percent shooting night.
 
Senior forward Micheline Mercelita tallied nine points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes, while Kristin Rydell and Avery Queen finished with eight points each.
 
Sophomore guard Leanna James scored seven points while Jasmine Richardson, Chelsea Adams and Mica Schneider all booked five points.
 
Junior guard Falesha Fuller notched a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds to pace Texas Wesleyan, which fell to 1-3 on the season.
 
NOTES
- Senior guard Whitney Taylor scored in double digits for the second consecutive game hitting a pair of 3-pointers on her way to 12 points and a season-high five rebounds.
- Taylor connected on her 117th and 118th 3-pointers of her career to pull to within seven of Kristin Ramsey (125 3s/2000-04) for third on MSU's all-time 3-point makes list.
- Senior forward Micheline Mercelita threatened her second consecutive double-double before settling for nine points and seven rebounds which is right at her season average.
- Senior forward Avery Queen scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds making her 2017-18 debut. She missed both games of the Comfort Inn/Ashbrook Classic last weekend due to injury.
- Freshman Hannah Reynolds continued to impress despite struggling to a 1-for-9 shooting night to finish with 3 points. The 6-4 forward from Prosper logged career highs with 10 rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes.
- Senior guard Kristin Rydell knocked two 3-pointers for the second straight game to finish with eight points on 3-of-9 shooting.
- Midwestern State claimed its fourth consecutive win over Texas Wesleyan which includes all games played since 2014. The Mustangs lead the overall series 31-18 and are 20-4 against the Rams at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State enjoys a nine-day break before returning to the court Thanksgiving weekend at the St. Mary's Classic in San Antonio. The Mustangs take on host St. Mary's on Friday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena before playing Lubbock Christian Saturday at 3.