Midwestern State vs Western New Mexico
MSU Texas (5-10, 1-4), WNMU (3-8, 0-4)
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 | 4 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
Series Info: MSU Texas leads series 10-1 | WNMU snapped MSU Texas' 10-game series winning streak with 86-84 win in last meeting in Silver City (2/17/18) | MSU Texas is 4-0 against WNMU at D.L. Ligon Coliseum
Radio: ESPN 95.5 FM | Video (PPV) / Audio: Mustangs Digital Network | Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com
 
THE OPPONENT: Western New Mexico is on a seven-game slide coming into Saturday's game at Midwestern State… The Mustangs started the season winning three of their first four games including victories over New Mexico Highlands (81-75), Fort Lewis (74-70) and Texas A&M International (70-62)… Western New Mexico is 3-37 in league games since joining the Lone Star Conference before the 2016-17 season including a 1-19 road record against LSC foes… The Mustangs' only LSC road win came in the 2017-18 regular season finale at Angelo State (77-72)… Western New Mexico ranks second in the LSC (17th in NCAA D2) in 3-point field goal defense (30.0 percent), but is ninth in the league overall field goal percentage defense (45.4 percent)… Senior forward Jon-Reese Woodson leads the Mustangs at 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor… Woodson ranks second in the LSC with 77 free throw attempts with just 41 makes (53.2 percent)… Senior forward Leston Gordon ranks fifth in the LSC with 1.09 blocks per game… Freshman guard Amarion Cash ranks 23rd in scoring during LSC play at 10.3 points per game… Cash paced the Mustangs with 14 points in Thursday's loss at Cameron… Matt Enriquez sports an 11-53 record (.172) in his third season at the helm of the Western New Mexico men's basketball program…
 
LAST TIME OUT: Midwestern State shot 52 percent from the field in the second have to wipe out an 11-point deficit beating UT Permian Basin 73-65 Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. JaJuan Starks (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Gilbert Thomas (13 points, 16 rebounds) delivered their second double-double of the season, while Josh Wallace authored a brilliant all-around line with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The Mustangs out-muscled the top rebounding club in the Lone Star Conference by a 49-33 margin.
 
HAGGERTY CLAIMS 150TH W IN: Midwestern State boasts a 151-78 mark (.659) in Nelson Haggerty's eighth season as head coach. He has led the Mustangs to the NCAA postseason in five of his seven seasons including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2012 and four LSC championships in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. Haggerty claimed his second LSC Coach of the Year award in 2016 sharing honors with former Cameron coach Nate Gamet. He also claimed the honor in 2012.
 
HAGGERTY'S MILESTONE WINS
First: Mid-American Christian // W, 100-63 // Ligon Coliseum // Nov. 11, 2011
50TH: Incarnate Word // W, 85-73 // Allen, Texas // March 8, 2013 (LSC Semifinals)
100TH: Adams State // W, 95-87 // Alamosa, Colo. // Nov. 21, 2015
150TH: Oklahoma Christian // W, 88-82 (OT) // Wichita Falls, Texas // Dec. 18, 2018
 
TRENDS: Midwestern State claimed its first Lone Star Conference win of the season with a 73-65 victory over UT Permian Basin... The Mustangs close out a seven-game home stand Saturday against Western New Mexico… MSU Texas is 2-4 on the current home stand with wins coming against Oklahoma Christian (88-82/OT) and UT Permian Basin (73-65)… Midwestern State snapped out of a three-game shooting slump (73-of-199/36.7 percent) to shoot 47.1 percent from the floor in the win over UT Permian Basin… The Mustangs have come out of the locker room blazing their way to a combined 50.9 percent shooting from the field and 54.5 percent from the arc in the second half of the last two games against Tarleton State and UT Permian Basin… MSU Texas matched its best rebound margin of the season (+16) against UT Permian Basin which came into the game leading the LSC and ranking ninth in NCAA D2 at +9.9… The Mustangs limited UT Permian Basin to an opponent season low shooting percentage of 34.3 percent… Midwestern State connected at a 47.1 percent clip from the field against UT Permian Basin – its best shooting game since hitting 47.5 percent from the floor nine games ago against Southern Nazarene on Nov. 23rd… MSU Texas ranks second in the LSC and 33rd in NCAA D2 pulling down 13.27 offensive rebounds per game… The Mustangs are 4-2 in games they lead at the half and 1-8 when the game is tied (0-1) or if trailing (1-7) at the break… MSU Texas limited their last three opponents (Texas A&M-Commerce, Tarleton State and UT Permian Basin) to 16-of-58 shooting from the arc (27.6 percent)… Midwestern State claimed an 88-82 win over Oklahoma Christian in its first overtime game of the season on Dec. 19th… The Mustangs were 2-1 in overtime games last season claiming victories at Western State (Colo.) and against Eastern New Mexico with the loss coming at Texas A&M-Commerce…
 
PLAYER NOTES
 
#0 JAJUAN STARKS (6-5 // 215 // Junior // Guard // Fort Wayne, Ind.): Leads Mustangs and ranks fourth overall in the Lone Star Conference in scoring at 15.6 points per game… leads the LSC scoring 18.6 points per game during league play… shoots 47.2 percent from the field… connected on 25-of-63 3-pointers (39.7 percent)… played in each of MSU Texas' 15 games including starts in the last nine… team's top scorer in eight games including in six of his nine starts… scored in double figures 11 times this season logging at least 20 in five games… grabbed at least five rebounds in 12 games setting a season high with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double against Oklahoma Christian (12/19)… delivered a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a win over UT Permian Basin (1/10)… averaging 18.0 points per game as a starter boasting high scoring games of 26 points against Eastern New Mexico (11/29) and 25 versus Mid-America Christian (12/17)… scored 21 of his game-high 23 points against Tarleton State in the second half shooting 8-of-13 from the field with three 3-pointers…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 26 vs. Eastern New Mexico (11/29)
Assists: 4, twice, last vs. Mid-America Christian (12/17)
Rebounds: 12 vs. Oklahoma Christian (12/19)
 
#1 ELIJAH LEE (5-11 // 165 // Junior // Guard // Missouri City, Texas): Played in each of MSU Texas' 15 games making 14 starts at point guard… averaging 5.7 points in 25.6 minutes per game… ranks second in  the Lone Star Conference averaging 4.4 assists per game… scored in double figures four times… poured in season-high of 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting three 3-pointers in 28 minutes against Adams State (11/17)… registered at least five assists eight times this season… scored seven points, dished out six assists and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds against Texas A&M-Commerce (1/3)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 15 vs. Adams State (11/17)
Assists: 8 vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith (11/21)
Rebounds: 8 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (1/3)
 
#2 TRAE JONES (6-4 // 165 // Redshirt Freshman // Guard // Wichita Falls, Texas):  Competed in each of Midwestern State's 15 games while making seven starts… averaging 6.2 points per game knocking down 21 3-pointers… made at least two triples in seven games… ranks 19th in the Lone Star Conference with 1.4 made 3-pointers per game… scored in double figures five times… buried a season-high four triples (on eight attempts) on his way to matching a season-high of 14 points against Ouachita Baptist (11/24)… connected on three triples on eight attempts for a season-high 14 points at Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 14 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16); Ouachita Baptist (11/24)
Assists: 2, three times, last vs. USAO (12/19)
Rebounds: 2, five times, last vs. Ouachita Baptist (11/24)
 
#3 DARIUS THOMPSON (6-3 // 190 // Senior // Guard // Memphis, Tenn.):  Saw action in the Mustangs' first two games of the season… missed the last 13 games due to injury… scored 15 points on 3-of-5 shooting with three 3-pointers to lead MSU Texas to a season opening win over Rogers State (11/9)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 15 vs. Rogers State (11/9)
Assists: 2 vs. Rogers State (11/9)
Rebounds: 3 vs. Rogers State (11/9)
 
#4 DORIAN CHATMAN (6-7 // 230 // Junior // Guard // Port Arthur, Texas): Competed in 13 games making one start at forward… averaging 4.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game… poured in a season-high 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting with a 3-pointer against Southern Nazarene (11/23)… come on strong to grab 15 rebounds over the last two games with seven at Eastern New Mexico (11/29) and eight at West Texas A&M (12/1)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 15 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/23)
Assists: 1, four times, last vs. West Texas A&M (12/1)
Rebounds: 8 vs. West Texas A&M (12/1)
 
#5 JOSH WALLACE (6-3 // 195 // Junior // Guard // Queens, N.Y.):  Started all 15 games at guard… averages 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.3 minutes per game… rates sixth in the LSC during league play scoring 16.0 points per game… red hot from the arc during league play ranking second in the LSC in 3-point percentage (52 percent) and third in 3-point makes per game (2.6)… named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping Mustangs to wins over Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16) and Adams State (11/17) at the Al Kaly Shrine Classic in Pueblo… scored in double figures nine times this season… poured in a season-high 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting with three triples at West Texas A&M (12/1)… fell just short of a triple double going for 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while connecting on 12-of-15 from the free-throw line in a win over UT Permian Basin (1/10)… knocked down a season-high five 3-pointers to finish a team-high 18 points against Texas A&M-Commerce (1/3)… buried three triples to finishing with 15 points against Tarleton State (1/5)… fired in 19-of-34 (55.9 percent) from the arc 3-point attempts over the last seven games burying at least two triples in six games during the run… posted at least five rebounds in five games… has at four assists in seven games…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 19 vs. West Texas A&M (12/1)
Assists: 7, two times, last vs. UT Permian Basin (1/10)
Rebounds: 9, two times, last vs. UT Permian Basin (1/10)
 
#10 TERRELL WILSON (5-11 // 180 // Freshman // Guard // Houston, Texas): Competed in 12 games making one start at guard… averaging 6.0 points on 27-of-72 shooting (37.5 percent) in 17.5 minutes per game… connected on 5-of-11 shots with two 3-pointers finishing with 14 points and five assists against Tarleton State (1/5)… used a strong performance from the charity stripe (7-of-8) to tally 13 points at West Texas A&M (12/1)… broke out with an 8-point effort on 4-of-8 shooting against Southern Nazarene (11/23)… earned first start against Mid-America Christian (12/17) scoring six points and dishing out four assists in 25 minutes… connected on first two 3-pointers of the season to finish with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting with four rebounds against Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)…dished out a season-high six assists with no turnovers in a season-high 31 minutes against Texas A&M-Commerce (1/3)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 14 vs. Tarleton State (1/5)
Assists: 6 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (1/3)
Rebounds: 4 vs. Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)
 
#13 D'MONTA HARRIS (6-5 // 206 // Junior // Guard // Pontiac, Mich.): Played in 15 games making lone start of the season at West Texas A&M (12/1)… averaging 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game… scored 10-or-more points in four games… connected on 9-of-10 shots from the field for a season-high 19 points with eight rebounds in a win over Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)… buried a season-high three 3-pointers to score 11 points in 19 minutes against Ouachita Baptist (11/24)… knocked down two triples to score 10 points with seven rebounds against Eastern New Mexico (11/29)… buried three 3-pointers to finish with 13 points and seven rebounds against Mid-America Christian (12/17)… connected on two 3-pointers to finish with eight points and was a +18 in 20 minutes of a win over UT Permian Basin (1/10)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 19 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)
Assists: 2, four times, last vs. Mid-America Christian (12/17)
Rebounds: 8 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)
 
#22 GILBERT THOMAS, JR. (6-6 // 225 // Junior // Forward // Houston, Texas):  Started each of MSU Texas' 15 games at forward… scores 8.1 points in 20.3 minutes per game… ranks fourth in the Lone Star Conference pulling down 7.8 boards per game… scored in double figures in seven games this season with two point/rebound double-doubles…  recorded first double-double of season with season-high 14 points with 11 rebounds against Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)… notched double-double with 13 points and a season-high 16 rebounds in a win over UT Permian Basin (1/10)… scored 12 points against Adams State (11/17) and Eastern New Mexico (11/29)… grabbed at least seven rebounds six times with 10-or-more on four occasions… grabbed 15 rebounds against Southern Nazarene (11/23)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 14 vs. Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)
Assists: 3 vs. Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)
Rebounds: 16 vs. UT Permian Basin (1/10)
 
#23 CASE CALDWELL (5-10 // 165 // Redshirt Freshman // Guard // Burkburnett, Texas): Played in five games as a reserve guard… scored first collegiate bucket at Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 2 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)
Assists: 1 vs. Eastern New Mexico (11/29)
Rebounds: 1 vs. Eastern New Mexico (11/29)
 
#25 TAYVION JOHNSON (6-6 // 196 // Freshman // Forward // Houston, Texas): Played in five games as a reserve guard… scored first collegiate bucket at Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: None
Assists: None
Rebounds: 1 vs. West Texas A&M (12/1)
 
#50 BISHOP COULTER (6-7 // 230 // Junior // Forward // Atoka, Okla.):  Played in 14 games making 12 starts at forward… averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game… earned Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors after earning Al Kaly Shrine Classic MVP honors averaging 17 points and 6.5 rebounds in wins over Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16) and Adams State (11/17)… scored in double figures seven times including a campaign-best 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds against Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)… narrowly missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds against Arkansas-Fort Smith (11/21)… had 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting with seven rebounds against Ouachita Baptist (11/24)…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 21 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)
Assists: 3 vs. UT Permian Basin (1/10)
Rebounds: 9 vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith (11/21)
 
MUSTANGS ON ESPN 95.5:  Every Midwestern State men's basketball will air live on ESPN 95.5 FM beginning the pregame show 15 minutes prior to tipoff.
 
MUSTANGS DIGITAL NETWORK: All Midwestern State home games are set for broadcast on the Mustangs Digital Network both live and on demand at MSUMustangs.tv. Season passes are available for $30 while single games run $9 each.
 
FOLLOW US: Follow news, notes and photos for all Midwestern State athletic teams on MSUMustangs.com or on social media at MSUMustangs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
COMING UP NEXT… Midwestern State and Cameron renew the Red River Rivalry Tuesday night at Aggie Gym in Lawton. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.