NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Midwestern State is one of the very best in NCAA Division II in taking advantage of the 3-point line.
 
But the Mustangs couldn't hit the barn door with a banjo from the even longer distance Friday night at William R. Johnson Coliseum.
 
MSU went 0-for-9 from the 3-point range in the second half allowing Division I Stephen F. Austin to run away for an 87-71 win. The game served as an exhibition for the Mustangs.
 
"That was the difference in the game. We had three possessions where we got a look and couldn't get it to fall. It was from that point that we had to climb out of a hole," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "Going ice cold from the perimeter is not who we are. They closed out on us and this was a longer 3-point line."
 
The 3-point arc moved back 16 3/4 inches at the Division I level this season, but that seemed to have little impact when the Mustangs connected on 7-of-16 shots to climb within 43-40 of the Southland Conference favorites going into the break.
 
"It was more of the physicality of them getting into our legs," Leslie said. "We knew it would be a physical game and we were ready for that."
 
SFA senior Cameron Johnson poured in a career-high 36 points on 13-of-16 shooting with a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Lumberbacks (5-2), while senior forward Gavin Kensmil added 17.
 
The Lumberjacks opened the second half on an 11-2 run culminated by consecutive 3-pointers by Deandre Heckard and Roti Ware to push the lead to 54-42 with 15:49 to play.
 
Midwestern State never managed to surge closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
 
The Mustangs, however, continued to show strength by attacking the glass finishing the night with a +11 edge on the glass.
 
Junior guard Derrick Ogechi paced MSU with 17 points on 4-of-12 shooting with three 3-pointers, while knocking down each of his six free throws. He added a game-high 11 rebounds with a career-best five coming on the offensive end.
 
"DO was ready for this opportunity," Leslie said. "He is such a settling presence for us on both ends of the floor. I have challenged him to get to the free throw line more. He was a great physical presence both on the glass and on the defensive end."
 
Junior forward Jermane Carter finished 5-of-7 from the floor going for 11 points and nine rebounds after missing the last two games due to injury.
 
"Jermane is a huge part of who we are and what we need to do to be successful. He finds a way to make an impact in a positive way for us," Leslie said. "It was fantastic having him out on the floor."
 
Freshman guard Rommell Williams chipped in 10 points for MSU on the strength of an 8-of-9 night from the charity stripe, while junior guard Trae Jones added nine points.
 
Midwestern State takes on Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday afternoon at Mayborn Campus Center in Belton, Texas. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.