WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- UAFS' Courtney Murrell missed the backend of a double bonus with 1.3 seconds left allowing Midwestern State to escape with a 68-67 win Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The Mustangs improved to 13-14 on the season and moved into sole possession of sixth place in the Lone Star Conference standings, while UAFS dropped to 13-12 and fell into ninth place in the LSC at 7-6.

TURNING POINT

Pierre Sanders followed Luke Hamilton third 3-pointer of the game with a runner in the paint to complete a mini 5-0 run to give Midwestern State breathing room and a 65-60 lead with 4:01 to play.

It was just enough space to allow MSU overcome mis-firing on three of four free throws in the final minute of the game.

LEADERS

- Junior Terrell Wilson scored a team-high 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting. It was sixth consecutive game in double figures and the 20th time this season he scored at least 10 points.
- Sophomore guard Pierre Sanders scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half. He hit three 3-pointers and was fouled on another 3-point try. He hit all three free throws.
- Senior Luke Hamilton buried three 3-pointers to finish with nine points. It was the third time this season he connected on at least three shots from beyond the arc.
- Senior Jermane Carter fell under his averages with nine points and four rebounds, but led the Mustangs with a plus-12 in his 22 minutes of court time.
- Redshirt-freshman Amaechi Chukwu scored eight points and matched a career high with 11 rebounds. It was his third game with at least 10 rebounds.
- UAFS senior Matthew Wilson was held to two points before he buried a half-court shot at the first-half buzzer. The LSC's leading scorer hit four more 3-pointers in the second half to finish with a game-high 19 points.

NOTABLES

- Midwestern State claimed its fifth consecutive win at D.L. Ligon Coliseum and improved to 8-4 on its home floor this season.
- The Mustangs improved 2-3 in games decided by two-or-fewer points. Both wins have come against Arkansas-Fort Smith. MSU defeated the Lions 63-62 on Dec. 10 at Stubblefield Center.
- Midwestern State allowed a season-high 13 3-pointers to UAFS. The Lions shot 48.1 percent from beyond the arc.
- Midwestern State controlled a +11 edge on the glass by outrebounding UAFS, 45-34. It is the eighth time the Mustangs held a double-digit edge on the glass this season. MSU also out-boarded the Lions by 13 in their first meeting.
- Midwestern State matched a season low with nine turnovers. 

UP NEXT

Midwestern State battles Oklahoma Christian in the season finale Saturday afternoon at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.
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