STEPHENVILLE, Texas -- Midwestern State just had too big of a hill to climb Thursday night at Wisdom Gym.

The Mustangs trailed by as many as 20 points before rattling off 26 points in the fourth quarter breaking to within single digits on two occasoins before falling 78-64.

"From the start of the game, he didn't follow the defensive game plan well enough," MSU assistant coach Christopher Reay said. "I think if we would have, the result would have been difference. I am proud of the way the girls fought back, but when you spot a team that big of a lead it is going to be difficult."

Tarleton State took control with a 15-0 run in the first quarter culminated by a Callie Boyles layup to take a 17-7 edge with 42 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Texans used an 8-0 at the start of the second half to take a 49-29 lead with 3:12 to play in the third period.

Senior forward Elizabeth Cathcart drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to pull the Mustangs to within 71-62 with 51 seconds to play but that is as close as MSU could get.

Senior Kityana Diaz matched a career high with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while Hannah Reynolds and Cathcart had 12 points each.

Marissa Escamilla led a group of five players scoring in double figures for the Texans with 13 points. Tarleton State improved to 16-5 overall and 10-5 in league play.

Midwestern State(8-11, 6-9) takes on Texas Woman's Saturday afternoon at Kitty Magee Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.