Midwestern State vs UT Permian Basin
MSU Texas (4-10, 0-4), UTPB (9-4, 2-1)
Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 | 7:30 p.m.
D.L. Ligon Coliseum | Wichita Falls, Texas
Series Info: UTPB leads 6-3 | UTPB has won last five meetings dating back to MSU Texas' last win on 1/7/17 (80-73) |  UTPB defeated MSU Texas in the quarterfinal round of the LSC Championship Tournament in 2017 and 2018 | MSU Texas is 3-1 against the Falcons at D.L. Ligon Coliseum
Radio: ESPN 95.5 FM | Video (PPV) / Audio: Mustangs Digital Network | Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com
 
THE OPPONENT: UT Permian Basin snapped a three-game slide with a 95-81 win over Eastern New Mexico Saturday in Odessa after No. 13 West Texas A&M used a 9-0 run in the final 53 seconds to beat the Falcons 83-82 on Thursday… The Falcons top the Lone Star Conference in scoring offense (90.5 / 7th in NCAA D2), 3-point field goal defense (28.6 / 6th in NCAA D2) and rebound margin (+9.9 / 9th in NCAA D2)… UTPB ranks among the best rebounding teams in the nation despite not having a single player averaging 7.0 or more boards per game, but six players pull down at least three rebounds a game… The Falcons rank third in the LSC and 15th in NCAA D2 taking 26.2 free throws per game… Reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Week Jacob Ledoux rates second in the league in scoring at 17 points per game… Ledoux has scored in double figures in 12 of 13 games with matching highs of 24 points against University of the Southwest (12/1) and Jarvis Christian (12/30)… Junior guard Kyree Elder chips in 13.5 points per game scoring at least 10 points in nine of his 12 games with high of 18 points against Our Lady of the Lake (11/28) and Jarvis Christian (12/30)… Senior guard Xavier Ledet is UTPB's top rebounder averaging 10.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game… Josh Newman is in his first season as head men's basketball coach at UT Permian Basin after serving in the same role at Arkansas-Fort Smith for the last 12 seasons… Newman posted a 168-96 record (.636) at UAFS leading the Lions to four trips to the NCAA D2 South Central Regionals in the last five years claiming five Heartland Conference titles…
 
LAST TIME OUT: Midwestern State used a 19-2 run midway through the second half to overcome a 15-point deficit and take a four-point lead over Tarleton State before falling to the Texans 70-65 Saturday afternoon at Ligon Coliseum. Senior guard JaJuan Starks scored 15 of his game-high 23 points during the stretch going 8-for-13 from the field for the game with three 3-pointers. Junior Josh Wallace continued his torrid pace from beyond the arc connecting on three triples to close with 15 points, while freshman guard Terrell Wilson posted career highs with 14 points and five assists. The Mustangs drilled 9-of-15 3-pointers as a team in the second half after going 0-for-9 in the opening stanza.
 
HAGGERTY CLAIMS 150TH WIN: Midwestern State boasts a 150-78 mark (.658) 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 looks to avoid its first 0-5 start in Lone Star Conference play since the 2005-06 squad dropped five straight… The '05-06 Mustangs rallied to win five of their final seven games against LSC foes… The Mustangs are 4-2 in games they lead at the half and 0-8 when the game is tied (0-1) or if trailing (0-7) at the break… MSU Texas has shot sub-.400 in each of its last three games shooting a combined 73-of-199 (36.7 percent) against USAO, Texas A&M-Commerce and Tarleton State, but connected on 15-of-30 shots from the floor Saturday against the Texans including a 9-of-15 clip (60 percent) in the second half… The Mustangs are shooting 39.4 percent from the field in their four Lone Star Conference games… MSU Texas limited their last two opponents (Texas A&M-Commerce and Tarleton State) to 9-of-32 shooting from the arc (28.1 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… MSU Texas won the battle of the boards (+2) against Tarleton State snapping a string of five games of being outrebounded…  
 
PLAYER NOTES
 
#0 JAJUAN STARKS (6-5 // 215 // Junior // Guard // Fort Wayne, Ind.): Leads Mustangs and ranks fifth overall in the Lone Star Conference in scoring at 15.4 points per game… leads the LSC scoring 18.5 points per game during league play… shoots 46.7 percent from the field… connected on 22-of-56 3-pointers (39.3 percent)… played in each of MSU Texas' 14 games including starts in the last eight… team's top scorer in seven games… scored in double figures 10 times this season logging at least 20 in five games… grabbed at least five rebounds in 11 games setting a season high with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double against Oklahoma Christian (12/19)… averaging 17.9 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' 14 games making 13 starts at point guard… averaging 6.0 points in 25.3 minutes per game… ranks second in  the Lone Star Conference averaging 4.3 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 seven 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 14 games while making seven starts… averaging 6.6 points per game knocking down 21 3-pointers… made at least two triples in seven games… ranks 17th in the Lone Star Conference with 1.5 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 12 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 14 games at guard… averages 11.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.1 minutes per game… rates eighth in the LSC during league play scoring 15.5 points per game… red hot from the arc during league play leading the LSC in 3-point percentage (56.5 percent) and 3-point makes per game (3.3)… 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 eight 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)… 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 six games…
SEASON HIGHS
Points: 19 vs. West Texas A&M (12/1)
Assists: 7 vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (11/16)
Rebounds: 9 vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith (11/21)
 
#10 TERRELL WILSON (5-11 // 180 // Freshman // Guard // Houston, Texas): Competed in 11 games making one start at guard… averaging 6.3 points on 26-of-68 shooting (38.2 percent) in 18.0 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 14 games making lone start of the season at West Texas A&M (12/1)… averaging 6.6 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)…
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' 14 games at forward… scores 7.8 points per game with a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game… ranks fourth in the Lone Star Conference pulling down 7.2 boards per game… scored in double figures in six games this season… recorded first double-double of season with season-high 14 points with 11 rebounds against Science & Arts (Okla.) (12/29)… 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… had season-high 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: 15 vs. Southern Nazarene (11/23)
 
#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 13 games making 11 starts at forward… averaging 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23.7 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: 2 vs. Adams State (11/17)
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 closes out a seven-game home stand Saturday afternoon against Western New Mexico. Tipoff at D.L. Ligon Coliseum is set for 4 p.m.