THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Junior Gilbert Thomas, Jr., recorded his first career double-double as Midwestern State was unable to survive a 3-point barrage from Science & Arts in a 77-70 loss on Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
Thomas scored a season-high 14 points and pulled down 11 boards and added two blocks for his first double-double in the Maroon and Gold this season.
 
The Drovers connected on 13-of-26 3-point attempts, the most MSU Texas has allowed this season. Clay Long and Greyden Steinmetz each knocked down three 3-pointers. Long and Marquise Williams led the way offensively for USAO with 15 points.
 
Senior JaJuan Starks led all players with 17 points on 5-of-17 shooting, going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Freshman Terrell Wilson tacked on 10 points and a season-high four rebounds.
 
Junior Elijah Lee handed out five assists and had four steals defensively to set up an MSU Texas offense that shot 34.7 percent from the floor.
 
The Drovers took a 40-36 lead into the locker room on their 3-point shooting. Of the 14 made field goals in the first half, 10 came beyond the arc, shooting 55.6 percent from long range.
 
In a back-and-forth second half, USAO opened the break on an 8-0 run only to be answered by a 19-0 run by the Mustangs.
 
Starks got the rally going for the Maroon and Gold, burying a 3-pointer with 16:52 to play to pull the Mustangs within eight, down 48-40. Thomas rattled off eight-straight points of his own, highlighted by a huge two-handed dunk to tie the game. Lee gave MSU Texas the lead with a pair of free throws before the Mustangs pushed the advantage to eight on a triple from Trae Jones, up 56-48 with 12:04 remaining.
 
Leading 63-54 with 8:51 to play, USAO strung together an 18-2 run down over a six minute stretch to regain the lead for good, up 72-65.
 
MSU Texas closed the deficit to four as late as the 1:10 mark, but a fast break layup and free throw allowed the Drovers to secure the win.
 
GAME NOTES
- Midwestern State falls to 1-7 in its last eight contests after a 77-70 loss to Science & Arts on Saturday
- MSU Texas moves to 15-8 all-time against USAO, snapping a seven-game winning streak
- The Mustangs finish non-conference play with a 4-6 record
- USAO connected on 13 3-pointers, including 10 in the first half, the most the Mustangs have allowed this season
- Junior Gilbert Thomas, Jr., recorded his first career double-double, going for 14 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out
- Senior JaJuan Starks led the Mustangs with 17 points, his ninth time in double figures
- Freshman Terrell Wilson added 10 points and a season-high four rebounds
 
UP NEXT
MSU Texas returns to the court on Thursday, Jan. 3, against Texas A&M-Commerce. Tipoff at D.L. Ligon Coliseum is set for 7:30 p.m.