THE RUNDOWN
ODESSA – Midwestern State was unable to overcome a lights-out shooting performance by eighth-ranked UT Permian Basin in an 88-71 setback at the Falcon Dome in Odessa.
 
The loss moves the Mustangs to 4-11 on the season and 1-5 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
In the first half, the Mustangs defense forced just eight missed shots by the Falcons as UTPB shot 71.4 percent from the field with most of the damage coming in the paint. UTPB outscored MSU 28-12 in the paint in the first half. Midwestern State was no slouch on the offensive end, shooting 42.4 percent, but despite the strong showing, MSU went into the break down, 50-37.
 
 The second half saw the Mustangs slow down the Falcons offense slightly, holding UTPB to 50 percent from the field, but it was not nearly enough to allow for a comeback.
 
Senior guard Devante Pullum finished with 18 points to lead the team, shooting 60 percent from the floor. The Little Elm product also had three rebounds and six assists. Senior guard Brandon Neel tacked on 17 points and six rebounds while adding an assist and a block. Junior forward Wanaah Bail scored 12 after a one-game hiatus of scoring in double figures and led the team with seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Logan Hicks capped off the MSU players in double figures with 11 points, four assists and two rebounds.
 
Lone Star Conference Preseason Player of the Year led the Falcons with 28 points, shooting 70.5 percent from the field and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. The eighth-ranked Falcons improve to 12-1 overall and 5-0 in Lone Star Conference play.

NOTES
- Midwestern State falls to 1-8 in its last nine 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 allowed the Falcons to shoot 71.4% from the field in the first half, forcing just eight missed shots.
- MSU went 11-of-32 from beyond the arc. The 32 attempts are the most by the Mustangs this season and the 11 makes matches a season high, previously set on Nov. 24 against Saint Leo.
- The Mustangs held an 11-8 edge on the offensive glass, converting those to 12 second chance points.
- The game was decided in the paint as UTPB dominated the Mustangs, 50-22.
- The 60.7 percent shooting by the Falcons was the second-highest Midwestern State has allowed this season, behind only Texas A&M-Commerce's 65.5 percent on Dec. 2.
- Midwestern State shot 75 percent from the free throw line. It marked the sixth-time in the last seven games the Mustangs have shot 75 percent or better, going 12-of-16.
- Senior guard Devante Pullum led the team with 18 points on 60% shooting, marking his 11^th-time scoring in double figures this season.
- Pullum also distributed six assists to set up the offense, marking the eighth time this season he has distributed at least five dimes.
- Senior guard Brandon Neel scored in double figures for the seventh-straight game and for the 12^th-time this season, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and an assist.
- Junior forward Wanaah Bail added 12 points for the second time in the last three games.
- Sophomore guard Logan Hicks continued his strong campaign, adding 11 points, four assists and two rebounds, marking the 12th-time this season the Temple native reached double figures.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State returns to the friendly confines of D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 11 against Western New Mexico. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.