Midwestern State (9-14, 5-8) vs. #13 UT Permian Basin (18-3, 10-2)
Lone Star Conference game
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
UTPB leads all-time series 4-3 | 3-0 vs. UTPB at home | UTPB has won the last three meetings
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com | Radio: ESPN 95.5 FM | Audio: Mustangs Digital Network | Video: Mustangs Digital Network
 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
 
MUSTANGS AGAINST NATIONALLY RANKED OPPOSITION: Midwestern State faces its fourth nationally ranked opponent this season Thursday night against UT Permian Basin. The Falcons are ranked 13th in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches' Top 25. MSU is winless in three tries against nationally ranked opponents falling to No. 11 West Texas A&M (83-76) on Jan. 4, to No. 8 UT Permian Basin (88-71) on Jan. 6 and to Texas A&M-Commerce (91-88/OT) on Jan. 25. All of the games were played on the road. MSU has lost its last six games against teams ranked in the NABC Top 25 dating back to an 84-78 win over No. 11 West Texas A&M on Jan. 5, 2017 in Canyon. The Mustangs are 15-19 against nationally ranked opponents during the Nelson Haggerty era. MSU plays host to No. 8 West Texas A&M on Saturday.
 
MUSTANGS LOOKING FOR FOURTH-STRAIGHT WIN: Midwestern State has won consecutive games for the third time this season and with a win over UT Permian Basin Thursday night could win four straight for the first time since posting a streak of six victories from Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 14, 2017 last season.
 
RETURN OF DOME MAGIC: The Mustangs have won five consecutive games on the fabled home court at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The streak includes victories over Western New Mexico (89-79), Eastern New Mexico (89-87 in OT), St. Mary's (79-69), Texas A&M-Kingsville (66-44) and Angelo State (88-78). Midwestern is 6-2 on Gerald Stockton Court this season.
 
MSU DYNAMIC DUO (LSC VERSION): Midwestern State senior guards Brandon Neel and Devante Pullum are combining for just under 34 points a game during Lone Star Conference play. Neel is pouring in 17.1 points per game while shooting 43.6 percent while grabbing 5.4 rebounds a game. The Cincinnati native has scored in double figures in each of his last 15 games and notched at least 20 points eight times this season. Pullum scores 16.8 points during LSC play and is doing it in an efficient manner. The Little Elm native is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from the 3-point arc. Pullum, who is second in the league dishing out 4.9 assists per game, has scored in double figures in each of his last 11 games and 17 of his last 18.
 
TOUGH SLEDDING ON ROAD: UT Permian Basin has nearly unbeatable on its home floor at the Falcon Dome posting a 25-1 mark since entering the Lone Star Conference to start the 2016-17 season including a 13-0 run this season. Lately, however, UTPB has found the going tough on the road and are looking to avoid a three-game skid outside of Odessa Thursday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The Falcons fell to Angelo State (84-83) on Jan. 13th then were beaten 105-86 at No. 10 West Texas A&M on Jan. 30th. The Falcons, who are 5-3 on the road this season, are 0-3 against Midwestern State all time at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
FALCONS ARE UNIQUELY TALENTED: UT Permian Basin senior Daeshon Francis is the reigning Lone Star Conference Player of the Year and leads the league in scoring at 21 points per game which ranks 37th in NCAA Division II. Sammy Allen, a 6-2 senior guard, tops the LSC and ranks eighth in NCAA Division II pulling down 11.4 rebounds per game. Allen is the best in the nation averaging 9.29 defensive rebounds a game. Senior forward Josh Morris tops NCAA Division II in field goal percentage (70.7), while senior guard James McPherson rates second in the LSC and 30th nationally with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game.