THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – Midwestern State was unable to close out its upset bid of 13^th-ranked UT Permian Basin on Thursday at D.L. Ligon Coliseum, falling to the Falcons, 79-76.
 
Up 71-70 with 1:13 to play, senior guard Trey Kennedy found sophomore guard Logan Hicks in the corner and Hicks rattled home on a three to extend the lead to four. UTPB's Josh Morris answered with a layup, but senior guard Devante Pullum knocked down both free throws after a quick Falcons foul to again give the Mustangs a four-point edge with 43 seconds left.
 
Reigning Lone Star Conference Player of the Year Daeshon Francis cut it back to two on a layup with 37 seconds. On the ensuing inbounds play, MSU was unable to corral the ball, resulting in a turnover. Neel was called for a blocking foul with 23 seconds and Francis converted the free throw on the three-point play to give the Falcons the lead for good.
 
Neel missed a floater with 12 seconds to play that would have given the Mustangs the lead. UTPB hit both free throws to move it to a three-point game and Pullum's three pointer didn't fall with three seconds left.
 
Neel finished with 24 points, six rebounds and two assists, going 8-for-9 from the free throw line. Kennedy added 19 on four three pointers while Hicks tacked on 11. The trio finished with 54 of MSU's 76 points.
 
Morris finished with a game-high 27 points and Francis added 24 for the Falcons who closed the game on a 7-0 run.

NOTES
- Midwestern State falls to 0-4 against ranked opponents this season and has lost seven-straight against teams in the top 25.
- The Falcons shot 52.5 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three point land.
- MSU lost the battle inside, giving up 47 rebounds and 50 points in the paint.
- The Maroon and Gold forced 21 turnovers and turned those miscues into 17 points.
- The Mustangs led for 26:09 in a game that featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes.
- Senior guard Brandon Neel recorded his ninth 20-point game of the season, going for a team-high 24 points. The Cincinnati native made a season-high eight free throws.
- Senior guard Trey Kennedy tallied 19 points for the second-straight game, hitting four three-pointers, matching a season-high previously set in the last outing against Angelo State.
 
UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 10 against West Texas A&M at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.