WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Caleb Jordan erupted for a career-high 27 points and St. Mary's (Texas) held off Midwestern State 80-72 Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
"We knew he was playing very well," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "He was the focus of the game plan and he still overcame it."
 
Jordan, a sophomore guard from Midlothian, connected on nine of his 15 shots and hit four triples in the first half to help build a 17-point lead five minutes into the second half.
 
The deficit was just too much for Midwestern State, who slipped to 2-12 on the season and 2-6 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
It wasn't a lack of execution for the Mustangs, but just not enough shot making. MSU misfired on its first seven 3-point attempts of the second allowing the Rattlers' lead to swell.
 
"I give the players all of the credit in the world. You draw up a play and talk about how you want to execute it and they just flat go out there and do it, make the right pass and we just miss the shot," Leslie said. "We shot 27 percent from 3-point range tonight (8-of-29). That's not going to get it done."
 
St. Mary's took advantage by shooting 56 percent from the field in the second half and finish 10-of-23 from the arc as junior guard Kobe Magee (16 points, 8 assists) and senior guard Markques Houston (13 points, 6 rebounds) also tallied in double figures.
 
Midwestern State's cold shooting spoiled Darius Thompson's sterling performance.
 
The senior from Memphis, Tenn. knocked down four 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 23 points, while adding six rebounds and four assists.
 
"Darius is really stepping up his play. He is turning into a complete player," Leslie said. "He's really starting to understand his spots when he is shooting from the perimeter, when to attack and when to post. More importantly for us, he's starting to do some of the other things very consistently which are critical for our success."
 
Seniors D'monta Harris and Ola Ayodele (seven rebounds) added 11 points each for the Mustangs.
 
Midwestern State renews the Red River Rivalry against Cameron Wednesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.