PUEBLO, Colo. -- Midwestern State led from nearly tip-to-buzzer taking a 75-71 win over Adams State in the finale of the Al Kaly Shrine Classic Saturday afternoon at Massari Arena.
 
That fact didn't even come close to describing the reality of a hard-fought win as the Mustangs overcame a brilliant 31-point, 10-rebound performance by ASU senior John Dewey, who led a determined comeback effort.
 
But junior guard Elijah Lee erupted for a season-high 15 points and buried three 3-pointers to help MSU Texas stave off the Grizzlies to improve to 3-1 on the young season.
 
The Pepperdine transfer answered the call after Adams State rallied back from a 12-point deficit to tie the game 56-all on R.J. Brown's layup with 8:02 to play.
 
Lee answered with his third triple of the game then hit a jumper to push MSU Texas advantage back out to five with just under seven minutes to play.
 
The Mustangs would push the lead back out to double figures after Gilbert Thomas followed a tip-in by Bishop Coulter with a layup of his own to give the Mustangs a 73-63 edge with 2:36 to go.
 
Adams State made final charge fueled by Brown and Dewey, who pulled the Grizzlies to within a bucket with four seconds to play but that's as close as it would get.
 
Junior forward Bishop Coulter scored in double figures for the second consecutive game finishing with 13 points and six rebounds, while Thomas added 12 points and pulled down seven boards.
 
Redshirt-freshman Trae Jones buried three 3-pointers of his own to finish with nine points.
 
Midwestern State looks to avenge its lone loss of the season Wednesday night against Arkansas-Fort Smith at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
The Mustangs then compete in the UAFS Thanksgiving Classic taking on Southern Nazarene on Friday and Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) on Saturday. Both games begin at 5 p.m.
 
Adams State slipped to 0-4.