Midwestern State (0-2) vs. Texas Wesleyan (1-2)
Fri., Nov. 16 | 5:30 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com | Watch: Mustangs Digital Network | Listen: ESPN 95.5
Series History: MSU Texas leads 31-18 | Last Meeting: MSU Texas won 69-59 on Nov. 15, 2017 in Wichita Falls
Trend: Lady Rams have not won in Wichita Falls since 1990
Player to Watch: Sr. C Jordan Brightwell – coming off back-to-back double-doubles
 
Midwestern State (0-2) vs. Dallas Christian (0-3)
Sat., Nov. 17 | 4 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com | Watch: Mustangs Digital Network
Series History: First Meeting
Trend: Crusaders went 7-14 last season
Player to Watch: Sr. G Nyeai Bias – Top returning scorer for the Crusaders at 13.5 PPG
 
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State makes its home opener in the 2018-19 season on Friday hosting the Ashbrook Classic Presented by Comfort Inn. The Mustangs take on Texas Wesleyan on Friday at 5:30 before closing out the tourney with Dallas Christian on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Mustangs are participating in a holiday food drive. Fans that bring a canned good donation will receive a free popcorn.
 
Ashbrook Classic Schedule
Nov. 16 - Newman vs. Dallas Christian – 3 PM
Nov. 16 – MSU Texas vs. Texas Wesleyan – 5:30 PM
Nov. 17 – Newman vs. Texas Wesleyan – 1:30 PM
Nov. 17 – MSU Texas vs. Dallas Christian – 4 PM
 
Storylines
Year 11 of Noel Johnson Era
The Noel Johnson era enters its 11th season in 2018-19 after becoming the winningest coach in program history on Dec. 19, 2017 in a 72-66 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
Overall, the Mustangs have posted a 139-140 (.498) record under Johnson's guidance with three-straight NCAA Division II South Central Regional berths from 2013-15 and a regional title game appearance during a historic run in 2012-13.
 
Preseason Outlook
Midwestern State was pegged eighth in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll the league office announced on Wednesday.
 
The Mustangs tallied 140 points from the 31 ballots cast in the preseason rankings as voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.
 
West Texas A&M was picked as the conference's preseason favorite with 324 points and 18 first place votes. The Lady Buffs won the LSC Postseason Tournament and advanced to the Regional Finals a season ago.
 
Angelo State garnered 307 points and seven first place nods after sharing the regular season title with WT last year.
 
Tarleton State snagged 279 points and four first place votes while Texas A&M-Commerce followed with 252 points and two first place picks.
 
Eastern New Mexico (199), Cameron (177), Texas Woman's (154), Midwestern State (140), UT Permian Basin (98), Texas A&M-Kingsville (74) and Western New Mexico (42) rounded out the poll.
 
Angelo State's Marquita Daniels was tabbed the league's preseason player of the year after earning Player of the Year honors a season ago.
 
New Faces
The Mustangs welcomed four new faces to the program this offseason. Frances King and Tamyra Avery join the team after standout prep careers at Rockdale and Wagner High Schools, respectively.
 
Haevyn Risley transferred from Black Hills State after claiming TABC 3A Player of the Year accolades and a state championship at Canadian High School. She joins the Mustangs with four years of eligibility as a redshirt freshman.
 
Erin Alexander comes to the Maroon and Gold by way of Cloud County Community College. The 6-1 post was a two-time first team All-Jayhawk Conference performer.
 
Balanced Offensive Attack in Heartland/Lone Star Conference Challenge
The Maroon and Gold scored at least 60 points in a pair of losses last week in Kansas with eight different players averaging at least 6.0 points per game.
 
Hannah Reynolds leads the way at 11.5 points per game. The Prosper native opened the season with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the Mustangs' 1-point loss to Oklahoma Christian.
 
Kiz the Wiz
Senior guard Chelcie Kizart has drilled a team-leading three 3-pointers and averages 9.0 points per game. Kizart has grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game from the point guard spot and is second on the team with six assists.
 
Mustangs Digital Network
All Midwestern State home games are set for broadcast on the Mustangs Digital Network both live and on demand at MSUMustangs.tv. Season passes are available for $30 while single games run $9 each.
 
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Up Next
MSU Texas begins Lone Star Conference play on Thurs., Nov. 29, at Eastern New Mexico. Tipoff in Portales is slated for 6:30 p.m.