COMMERCE, Texas – Midwestern State opened the new year with a convincing 81-63 win over UT Tyler on Thursday night. Now, the Mustangs look to make it two straight wins in 2020 when they travel to Commerce, Texas on Saturday for a meeting with No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce. Tipoff from the A&M-Commerce Field House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Freshman Eternity Jackson scored eight points, including two early three pointers, and Midwestern State roared out of the holiday break with an 81-63 win over UT Tyler. The 81 points marked a season-high for the Mustangs, who saw Elizabeth Cathcart (13 points), Mica Schneider (12 points), Hannah Reynolds (10 points), and Frances King (10 points) all score in double figures. The Maroon and Gold forced 26 turnovers and saw their bench account for 59 of the team's 81 points.

SERIES HISTORY
While MSU enjoys a 43-25 all-time edge over Texas A&M-Commerce, the Lions have dominated the series since the 2015-2016 season, winning seven of the last eight meetings.

IT'S BEEN AWHILE
Saturday's meeting marks the first time Midwestern State will take on a ranked Texas A&M-Commerce squad since the 2007-2008 season. The then No. 18 Lions defeated MSU 67-53 in Commerce on December 8, 2007.

RANKED FOES
For the second time this season, the Mustangs will take on a team ranked in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll. On December 21, MSU fell to No. 2 Lubbock Christian, 67-54. Since the start of last season, the Maroon and Gold are 2-4 against teams ranked in the top 25. 
 

12/21/19	No. 2 Lubbock Christian 67 MSU 54	Wichita Falls, Texas
2/28/19	No. 22 Angelo State 81 MSU 62	Wichita Falls, Texas
1/31/19	MSU 66 No. 14 West Texas A&M 61	Wichita Falls, Texas
1/26/1	No. 19 Angelo State 73 MSU 62	San Angelo, Texas
12/15/18	MSU 51 No. 21 St. Mary's 35	Wichita Falls, Texas
12/1/18	No. 5 West Texas A&M 73 MSU 59	Canyon, Texas

 
MY TERN' TO SHINE
In her first career start on January 2, Eternity Jackson scored eight points and connected on two three-pointers to lead MSU to an LSC win over UT Tyler. The former Burkburnett HS star also recorded a steal and grabbed a rebound in a career-high 18 minutes of action.

EAZY-E
Elizabeth Cathcart scored in double figures for the ninth straight game to open the season with a 13-point showing on Thursday night against UT Tyler. The senior leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 PPG.
 
NEW YEAR, NEW ME
Midwestern State broke a streak of four straight losses to open a new year with Thursday's 81-63 win over UT Tyler. It was the program's first win to kick off a new year since 2015.
 

1/2/20	MSU 81 UT Tyler 63	Tyler, Texas
1/3/19	Texas A&M-Commerce 70 MSU 57	Wichita Falls, Texas
1/4/18	No. 2 West Texas A&M 64 MSU 46	Canyon, Texas
1/5/17	West Texas A&M 79 MSU 53	Wichita Falls, Texas
1/2/16	Texas Woman's 71 MSU 45	Denton, Texas
1/1/15	MSU 61 Texas Woman's 47	Denton, Texas

 
IS THAT TRUE
In one of the more odd stats of the season, Midwestern State is 2-0 when they commit 20 or more turnovers in a game. The Mustangs turned the ball over a season-high 28 times in a 75-68 win over Texas Wesleyan on November 16 before committing 22 turnovers in a 76-64 win over Angelo State on December 20.
 
CATCHING UP WITH COACH JOHNSON
Noel Johnson is in her 12th season as the Head Coach of the Midwestern State Women's Basketball team. Last season, Johnson led MSU to a 12-16 (9-11) mark and a sixth place finish in the Lone Star Conference South Division. Overall, the Mustangs have compiled a 156-158 (.497) record under Johnson's guidance. She became the winningest coach in program history on December 19, 2017 when MSU beat Texas A&M-Kingsville 72-66 to land her 133rd career victory.
 
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Texas A&M-Commerce remained unbeaten with a 77-55 win over Cameron on Thursday night. The 12-0 Lions, off to their best start in program history, are ranked as the No. 8 team in the country according to the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll. The Lions have won 10 games by double digits and are outscoring their opponents by 21.8 PPG. Chania Wright poured in a career-high 25 points against the Aggies, and leads the team in scoring at 13.0 PPG. Alexis Bryant (11.4 PPG) and Dyani Robinson (11.3 PPG) also score in double figures for the Lions. Head Coach Jason Burton notched his 100th career win at Commerce with Thursday's win over Cameron, becoming the fastest coach to reach that mark in program history.

UP NEXT
MSU opens a three-game homestand with an LSC contest against St. Edward's on Thursday, January 9. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.