THE RUNDOWN
DENTON, Texas – Midwestern State pulled within four in the final two minutes, but Midwestern State was unable to overcome a 15-point deficit to start the fourth quarter in a 71-66 loss to Texas Woman's on Saturday.
 
The Mustangs shot 53.8 percent in the final period, getting 10 points from senior guard Whitney Taylor during a 12-5 run that saw MSU close the gap to four with five minutes to play. Over the final five minutes, however, the Maroon and Gold would only add two more points, missing five of six shots with three turnovers.
 
Senior guard Kristin Rydell led the Mustangs with 14 points, including 10 in the second half, while Taylor closed the night with 13 points. Senior guard Jasmine Richardson added 12 and junior forward Chelsea Adams tacked on nine to pace the MSU offense.
 
Four starters for the Pioneers recorded double-figure scoring nights, led by forward Alexis Nezianya with 20.
 
MSU closes the regular season at 13-13 overall and 10-10 in the Lone Star Conference, entering the conference tourney as the No. 7 seed. The Mustangs take on West Texas A&M in the opening round in Frisco next week.

NOTES
- Midwestern State finishes the regular season at 13-13 and 10-10 in Lone Star Conference play after a 71-66 loss on the road to Texas Woman's. The Mustangs have lost six of the last seven on the road in league play.
- The Mustangs never led in the contest, trailing for the final 39:17.
- MSU finished the night shooting 37.1 percent from the floor, but the Pioneers connected on 60.9 percent of their shots, the highest field goal percentage the Mustangs have allowed this season.
- The Maroon and Gold dominated on the glass, outrebounding TWU 39-27, including pulling down 20 offensive boards to the Pioneers' three. MSU only converted the offensive caroms into 10 second chance points.
- Senior guard Kristin Rydell led the Mustangs with 14 points, scoring in double figures for the seventh time this season.
- Senior guard Whitney Taylor scored 10 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, connecting on her 157^th-career trey after breaking the program record on Tuesday.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action on Thursday, March 1 against No. 2 seed West Texas A&M at the Lone Star Conference tournament. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.