THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – The MSU Mustangs utilized its depth and stymied Western New Mexico for much of the evening. Midwestern State forced a season-high 31 turnovers in a 62-42 victory over the Mustangs of Silver City.
 
With the win, MSU improves to 8-5 overall on the season and 5-2 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
The first half was a wild affair, featuring 15 lead changes and four ties in a back-and-forth tilt. Midwestern State shot just 27.3 percent from the field, missed both its three-point attempts and went 3-for-9 at the charity stripe. Despite the struggles offensively, MSU took a 21-20 lead into the half, limiting WNMU to 6-of-29 shooting (20.7 percent) and forcing 16 turnovers.
 
The depth of MSU showed up in the second half as the Mustangs grabbed the lead midway through the third quarter in large part of the relentless defensive effort. Tied at 26 with 3:04 to go in the third, MSU knocked down three-straight three pointers after forcing quick turnovers on the defensive end. Chelcie Kizart, Leanna James and Mica Schneider went back-to-back-to-back to give MSU the lead for good.
 
After a 15-5 run to bookend the third and fourth quarter, the Mustangs pulled away, steadily increasing the lead over the final 10 minutes.
 
MSU shot exactly 50 percent in the second half, going 16-of-32 from the field. The Mustangs forced 20 turnovers, resulting in 18 points.
 
Senior forward Micheline Mercelita recorded her fourth double-double of the season, going for 14 points and 10 rebounds, both team highs. Kizart poured in a season-high 11 points and grabbed six rebounds while Avery Queen had four rejections in the paint.
 
Ciara Fields led WNMU with 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Mustangs fall to 0-15 on the season.

NOTES
- Midwestern State forced a season-high 31 turnovers against the Mustangs, resulting in 27 points off turnovers for the Maroon and Gold.
- The win snapped a three-game losing streak as MSU improved to 5-2 at home on the season.
- Midwestern State was held to 9-of-33 shooting (27.3 percent) from the field in the first half and went just 3-of-9 from the charity stripe, scoring only 21 points in the opening 20 minutes.
- The defense for the Mustangs stymied WNMU all night, holding them to a 26.7 shooting percentage.
- Midwestern State won the rebound battle for the eighth time in 13 games this season, outrebounding WNMU 49-41.
- The bench proved to be the deciding factor in the ball game as MSU outscored the Mustangs 34-0
- MSU grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and converted those into 15 second chance points.
- Senior forward Micheline Mercelita tallied her fourth double-double of the season, with a team-leading 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- Junior guard Chelcie Kizart had a season-high 11 points, six rebounds and four steals in the win.
- Junior forward Chelsea Adams added nine points and six rebounds in 17 minutes.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 13 against Eastern New Mexico. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.