THE RUNDOWN
CANYON – Midwestern State was unable to overcome a hot start by 11^th-ranked West Texas A&M despite a strong second half in an 83-76 setback at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.
 
The loss drops MSU to 4-10 on the season and 1-4 in Lone Star Conference action.
 
After a fast start that saw the Buffs build a 14-3 advantage early in the first half, the Mustangs managed to go into the locker room at halftime down eight at 41-33. The offense was boosted largely by Devante Pullum's 14 points and 71% shooting in the opening period.
 
MSU started the second half going 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-3 from deep to briefly take the lead with 16:06 to play, up 49-47.
 
The second half edge would be short-lived, however. After tying the game at 50 with 14:41 to go, the Mustangs would go cold from the field, going 3:53 without a score, snapped by a Pullum free throw, and almost seven minutes without a basket, snapped by a Wanaah Bail layup.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth over the final minutes with the Mustangs never able to pull closer than four. A Jordan Collins three with 2:50 to play put the Buffs up 10 and the game essentially out of reach.
 
Pullum finished with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including going 3-of-4 from deep. Brandon Neel added 16 points, with all but two coming in the second half while Logan Hicks posted 10 points.
 

NOTES
- Midwestern State falls to 1-7 in its last eight Lone Star Conference road games. The lone win this season came last Saturday at Texas A&M-Kingsville in a 72-68 win over the Javelinas.
- The Mustangs held the Buffs to 35% shooting in the second half (13-of-37) and 29% from deep (4-of-14).
- MSU held a 7-0 edge on the fast break aided by three blocks and seven steals.
- Midwestern State saw its six-game streak of shooting better than 75% from the charity stripe snapped. MSU shot 69% at the line, going 18-of-26.
- Senior guard Brandon Neel scored in double figures for the sixth-straight game and for the 11^th-time this season, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.
- Senior guard Devante Pullum dropped 24 points, his second-best scoring night on the season. It was the second time the Little Elm product eclipsed the 20-point plateau and 10th-time in double figures.
- Sophomore guard Logan Hicks continued his strong campaign, adding 10 points, marking the 11^th-time this season the Temple native reached double figures.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State remains on the road, traveling to UT Permian Basin on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 in Odessa. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.