THE RUNDOWN
SILVER CITY, N.M. – Seven different players scored at least five points as MSU Texas dominated a feisty Western New Mexico team, 80-45, on Senior Day at Drag's Court.
 
The game was never in doubt as MSU led for over 38 minutes in the contest. Of the 14 players that saw action for the Maroon and Gold, 12 recorded at least one made field goal and seven different players scored at least five points.
 
Leading by 12 at the half, MSU blew the game open in the second half, outscoring the Mustangs 45-22 after the intermission. Midwestern State shot 58.1 percent in the second half while holding WNMU to only 27.6 percent.
 
Sophomore forward Liz Cathcart scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half and finished a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor. Freshman center Hannah Reynolds added 12 while seniors Kristin Rydell, Micheline Mercelita and Avery Queen had nine, eight and eight, respectively.
 
Takiya Lopez led Western New Mexico with 12 points while Myla Woods-Brown and Ciara Fields added 11 and 10, respectively. That trio finished with 33 of the Mustangs' 45 points.

NOTES
- Midwestern State improved to 13-11 overall and 10-8 in Lone Star Conference play after an 80-45 rout of Western New Mexico on Saturday in Silver City. The Mustangs snapped a six-game losing streak on the road in conference games with the win.
- MSU's 80 points were the most in a win and second-highest total on the season. The Maroon and Gold scored 81 in a five-point loss on the road to Tarleton State on Jan. 27.
- The 35-point margin of victory was the largest by MSU this season, more than doubling the previous high of 17 set against Western New Mexico on Jan. 11.
- The Mustangs recorded a season-high 25 assists, notching dimes on 78.1 percent of their made shots from the floor.
- MSU connected on 32 field goals and hit 52.5 percent of its shots, both season-highs.
- Midwestern State forced 22 turnovers, third-most of the season and converted those miscues into 26 points. Defensively, the Mustangs corralled 13 steals, the second-most on the year behind only the 19 forced against WNMU on Jan. 11. Conversely, MSU turned the ball over 19 times, but allowed just four WNMU points off turnovers.
- MSU committed its fourth-fewest fouls of the season, holding the Mustangs to nine free throw attempts, the fewest MSU has allowed this season.
- The game was won on the glass for the Maroon and Gold, outrebounding the Mustangs 44-19. The 19 rebounds by WNMU was the fewest allowed by MSU this season. Midwestern State collected 14 offensive rebounds and turned those into 18 second chance points, compared to only two second chance points by WNMU.
- Sophomore forward Liz Cathcart led the Mustangs with 16 points, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds. The 16 points, seven made field goals and eight rebounds were all season-highs for the Spring Branch native.
- Junior guard Chelcie Kizart made her first start of the season, distributing a season-high five assists in the win.
- Sophomore guard Leanna James added a season-high five assists.
- Senior guard Whitney Taylor made her 153^rd-career three pointer, now needing one to tie and two to break former teammate Lisa Hampton's all-time program record. The Melissa native finished with six points and four assists.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 20 against Cameron in the Red River Rivalry for the home finale. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.