WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Hannah Reynolds poured in 17 points, but Midwestern State let an 11-point halftime lead slip away in a season opening 78-72 loss to Westminster (Utah) on Friday night inside D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The Mustangs turned the ball over 19 times, including 13 times in the second half. 

"It was kind of a tale of two halves," MSU Texas Head Coach Noel Johnson said. "I felt like going into half-time, we would build on our lead and grind away, and it did not happen."

Tied 7-7 early in the first quarter, Westminster's Sarah McGinley spearheaded a 12-5 Griffin run to close the quarter. The junior scored four of her 16 points in the opening frame to help the visitors to a seven point lead.

Midwestern State erupted in the second quarter, outscoring the Griffins, 29-12. Redshirt freshman Frances King proved to be a spark plug for MSU Texas, as she scored three points and dished out five assists.

"She understands the game so well," Johnson said. "She has really good vision."

In the second half, the Maroon and Gold were outscored 48-31.

The Mustangs led 50-38 with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter before Westminster closed the frame on a 11-3 run. Mariah Martin scored six of her game-high 23 points in the quarter, including a jumper with :7 seconds remaining.

Westminster took a 62-60 lead with 5:40 remaining in the game on a Kaylee Carlsen fast break bucket. Later in the quarter, with the Mustangs trailing 70-65 with 1:21 remaining in regulation, Courtney Kerr drilled a three to bring the Mustangs to within two. But it was the closest they would come.
 
GAME NOTES
- MSU has dropped three straight season openers
- After shooting 0-18 from beyond the arc against UTA (exhibition), MSU went 6-16 against Westminster
- Elizabeth Cathcart scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds
- 10 different Mustangs scored at least two points
- Hannah Reynolds, who led the Lone Star Conference with 66 blocks last season, picked up her first rejection of 2019 in the first half
 
UP NEXT
The Mustangs take on Dixie State (Utah) on Saturday night to wrap up the Ashbrook Classic. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.