THE RUNDOWN
PORTALES, N.M. – MSU Texas overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but Midwestern State didn't have enough in the tank to close out an 81-66 decision on the road to Eastern New Mexico.
 
Late in the first quarter with the game tied at 10, ENMU mounted a 20-4 run over the next eight minutes to stretch the lead to 16. MSU shot just 28.0 percent in the first half and committed 12 turnovers while assisting on 2-of-7 field goals, leading to a 35-24 deficit at the break. The Mustangs were beat inside, giving up 14 points in the paint and six second chance buckets.
 
After a quick bucket to open the second half for the Greyhounds, the Mustangs strung together a 10-2 run to pull within three at the 5:07 mark. MSU shot a blistering 90.0 percent in the third as the teams went back-and-forth over the next several minutes with Eastern taking a seven-point advantage into the fourth.
 
The Maroon and Gold started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run, started and finished by Chelcie Kizart to tie the game at 57 with 7:13 to go. Over the next seven minutes, ENMU rallied with an 18-5 run of its own to put the game out of reach. MSU went just 1-for-10 from the field over that span.
 
Senior forward Micheline Mercelita scored a game-high 15 points, including 11 in the second half, and pulled down a team-leading five rebounds to pace the MSU offense. Sophomore guard Chelcie Kizart added 10, with all but one coming after the intermission, going 6-of-9 from the free throw line, both season highs. Senior guards Kristin Rydell and Jasmine Richardson each tacked on nine points.
 
Senior guard Whitney Taylor made her 152^nd-career three pointer in the setback. The Melissa native needs two to tie and three to break former teammate Lisa Hampton's all-time program record of 154 triples.
 
Sarina Johnson finished with 15 points for the Greyhounds while Alivia Lewis recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

NOTES
- Midwestern State dropped to 12-11 overall and 9-8 in Lone Star Conference play after an 81-66 loss to Eastern New Mexico. It was the sixth-straight LSC loss on the road for the Mustangs.
- MSU surrendered a 54.3 shooting percentage to the Greyhounds, including 70 percent in the fourth quarter. It's the first time this season MSU has allowed teams to shoot better than 50 percent in consecutive games.
- The Mustangs recorded their second-fewest assists on the season with nine dimes on 22 made shots.
- The Maroon and Gold went 2-of-12 from beyond the arc. In their last two games, MSU has shot 4-of-23 from distance.
- MSU forced 25 turnovers, but only converted those into 18 points. Comparatively, ENMU had 26 points on 18 miscues.
- On the glass, the Mustangs were outrebounded by 12 and produced five second chance points on eight offensive rebounds.
- Senior forward Micheline Mercelita scored in double-figures for the 13^th-time this season, scoring 11 points in the second half. The Edinburg native grabbed a team-leading five rebounds.
- Sophomore guard Chelcie Kizart added 10, including nine in the second half, marking the fourth-time she went for double-figures. The St. Paul native went 6-of-9 from the free throw line, both season highs.
- Senior guard Whitney Taylor made her 152^nd-career three pointer, now needing two to tie and three to break former teammate Lisa Hampton's all-time program record.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17 against Western New Mexico in Silver City. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.