THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Midwestern State was unable to overcome a hot shooting performance by No. 8 West Texas A&M in an 87-58 loss on Saturday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Buffs hit 16-of-32 three pointers and went 19-of-21 from the free throw line while shooting 43.3 percent from the field.
 
The game was back-and-forth through the first 14 minutes with both teams going blow-for-blow offensively. Up 30-26 with six minutes to play, WT closed the first half on a 22-5 run, hitting five three pointers and converting a shooting foul on another trey to take a 54-31 lead into the break, capped by a CJ Jennings triple at the buzzer.
 
In the second half, MSU pulled with 20 once on a Trey Kennedy bucket and free throw at the 16:44 mark, but the Buffs progressively expanded the lead to cruise to the victory.
 
Senior guard Brandon Neel led MSU with 17 points while senior forward Josh Huntley had 12. Junior forward Ola Ayodele grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Mustangs.
 
Jordan Evans led the Buffs with 19 points.

NOTES
- Midwestern State falls to 0-5 against ranked opponents this season and has lost eight-straight against teams in the top 25.
- The Buffs shot 43.3 percent from the floor, 50.0 percent from beyond the arc and 90.5 percent from the free throw line.
- MSU lost the battle inside, giving up 46 rebounds and 18 second chance points.
- The Mustangs converted 10 WT turnovers into 12 points.
- The Maroon and Gold outscored the Buffs in the painted area, 26-14.
- MSU matched a season-low with four made three pointers, tying the four made triples against SW Assemblies of God on Nov. 21.
- Senior guard Brandon Neel led MSU with 17 points and also pulled down six rebounds. Of Neel's 17 points, 15 came in the first half.
- Senior forward Josh Huntley tacked on 12 points, with all but two coming in the opening 20 minutes.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 15 against Eastern New Mexico in Portales. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m.