WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State ended a bizarre run claiming its first victory of the season and of the Justin Leslie era with an 80-74 win over Angelo State Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
"We've been there the whole year, but we needed this one to get us started," freshman guard Evan McCarthy said.
 
It was McCarthy that gave the Mustangs a much needed shot in the arm after the Rams used full court pressure to force an 8-0 run to get within four at 65-62 with just under four minutes to play.
 
McCarthy beat the shot clock buzzer with a step-through 3-pointer at the top of the arc on the next possession, then connected on a kick out triple from nearly the same spot on the floor to push the lead back to double figures just a minute later.
 
"I could sense a resolve during the second half," Leslie said. "We've been here before with leads in the second half. That's a good team. That's an NCAA tournament team. Good teams are going to make a push late in the game. You have to answer that pressure with poise."
 
The Mustangs did just with McCarthy leading the way by scoring 13 of his team-high 19 points in the game's final seven minutes, but received plenty of assistant from fellow guard Darius Thompson how hit a pull up jumper in the lane and knocked down a pair of free throws in the final minutes to hold off Angelo State.
 
Midwestern did enough to undo another high turnover night against a physical and talented opponent. The Rams turned MSU's 23 turnovers into 21 points -- many of those coming down the stretch.
 
"We certainly made some mistakes that we can't afford to do, but tonight we matched it with enough solid plays to seal the deal," Leslie said. "It's great for them to experience this against a quality opponent."
 
The Mustangs continued a run of extreme offensive efficiency even under pressure shooting percent from the field in the second half (14-of-25) and was 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. MSU also continued to take advantage at the charity stripe going 17-of-22 (77.3 percent).
 
Thompson finished with 17 points, while senior D'Monta Harris added 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Mustangs also received solid performances from senior Elijah Lee (9 points) and redshirt-freshman Derrick Herrick, who pulled down seven rebounds in the first half to help MSU build a double-digit lead.
 
This time, the Mustangs weren't going to let it get away.
 
"I told the guys after the game that this shouldn't be a surprise. We do belong," Leslie said. "We are a very talented basketball team, but we just have a lot of growing up to do and a lot of learning."
 
The Mustangs (1-8, 1-2) have the opportunity to make that next step Saturday afternoon against Lubbock Christian. Tipoff at D.L. Ligon Coliseum is set for 4 p.m.
 
Angelo State slipped to 6-2 and 2-2.