WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Sophomore Terrell Wilson led a group of five players in double figures Friday night in Midwestern State's 79-53 whipping of Texas A&M International at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Mustangs, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2016-17, closed the two-game set with TAMIU Saturday afternoon. Tip time is set for 2 p.m. under the dome. Attendance is limited to pass list only.
 
"Offensively, it took us a little while to find our rhythm today," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "I give (TAMIU) credit. They were competing really hard to try to bust up our rhythm a little bit. Finally, midway through the first half we were started to get some paint touches to put a little run together that opened things up for us. From then on out, it was our kind of game."
 
Wilson used an efficient 7-of-10 shooting night to finish with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. He proved to be part of the group that erupted for a 13-2 run midway through the first half.
 
Freshman Rommell Williams converted transition layup while Derrick Ogechi and Luke Hamilton sandwiched 3-pointer around a Wilson layup as the Mustangs established their first double-digit lead at 22-12 with 8:56 to go in the first half.
 
While the offense sputtered in the early stages of the game, MSU displayed the top field goal percentage defense in the Lone Star Conference deploying a tight zone that limited to 27-percent shooting in the first half.
 
"Our defense was carrying us," Leslie said. "At the end of the day, that is something I am going to continue to harp on with them so they understand just how important that defensive grit and resolve is to establishing our kind of play and having success on the court."
 
The Mustangs led by as many as 30 points in the second half as MSU also dominated on the glass at a 48-25 clip. Midwestern grabbed 16 offensive rebound on the way to a 16-2 edge in second-chance points.
 
Hamilton knocked down three triples to finish with 11 points and a career-high seven rebounds. The transfer from Mercer boasted a whopping, team-best plus-minus of +26 to lead the Mustangs.
 
The freshman guard duo of Williams and Pierre Sanders also pitched in 10 points, while Ogechi finished with 10.
 
Junior forward Jalin Brown led the Mustangs with 11 rebounds, while Jermane Carter grabbed five of his eight boards off of the offensive glass.
 
"Our offense is a work in progress," Leslie said. "We're pleased to be 3-0, but we're still laying the foundation for our future with this group. There is so much to learn and so much growth that needs to happen, but that's the joy of coaching. You get to see that happening over time."
 
Tre Thomas scored 13 points to pace Texas A&M International (0-3).