WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State's
John Weger matched a career high with nine points, but also made a crucial steal in the games closing moments Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
The junior then hit a pair of free throws to help put the game away as the Mustangs grinded out a 67-62 win over Oklahoma Christian to clinch the No. 6 seed in next week's Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament.
MSU (14-14, 10-6 LSC) has won six of last seven and eight of 10 games heading into a first round matchup with UT Tyler Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Oklahoma Christian closes the season at 8-18 and 4-11.
QUOTE BOARD
Midwestern State junior John Weger on how the Mustangs turned around the season
"It wasn't going good for us early in the year, but we kept our heads down and didn't let it rattle us too much. We kept working on the little things every day. We really focused on defense and tried to make it the main thing that we do every night and make it our identity. You play good defense, it makes everything else go easier on the court. We have all embraced that."
Midwestern State coach Justin Leslie on the turning point of the season
"I would say when things changed was at Tyler. That was the game that we laid out what we had to do for success. The talk at that time was about understanding what toughness looks like as a basketball team. We went out to Tyler and we laid our hearts on the line. We played hard and we played well and we gave up two 3s in the last minute and lost that game by a point. That was the moment when we realized that it's not just about being tough for five minutes or a few possessions, if you're not tough for a full 40 because we had it for 39. We gave that game away. Since then, we've been a different defensive team."
TURNING POINT
Midwestern State turned up the defensive pressure limiting Oklahoma Christian to 37 percent shooting, while outrebounding the Eagles by eight in the second half.
But the Mustangs couldn't get separation until after OC's Justin Nimmer came free for a two-handed dunk to give the Eagles a 63-62 lead with 1:54 to go. The Eagles wouldn't get another point.
Redshirt-freshman
Amaechi Chukwu worked free for his second straight layup on the next possession to put the Mustangs back out in front, then Weger got his hands on a ball in the paint for a steal and earned a trip to the free throw line. He knocked down both to push the advantage to 65-52 with 17 seconds to go.
Midwestern State worked for another stop when Mount'tae Edmundson missed a layup with nine seconds remaining. Chukwu snared the rebound for the Mustangs and
Pierre Sanders drilled a pair of clinching free throws.
LEADERS
- Senior forward
Jermane Carter notched his third double-double of the season finishing with a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. It was the eighth game this season in which Carter hit at least two 3-pointers as he finished 2-for-4 from the arc.
- Sophomore guard
Pierre Sanders scored in double figures for the second consecutive game finishing with 13 points and six rebounds.
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Terrell Wilson extended his run of double-figure scoring game to seven. The junior guard finished with 11 points and dished out three assists.
- Redshirt-freshman
Amaechi Chukwu scored in double figures for the seventh time in the last 13 games. He hit 5-of-8 shots to finish with 11 points, while blocking a pair of shots.
- Junior
John Weger matched a career high with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting with a 3-pointer. He added three assists and two rebounds.
- Oklahoma Christian sophomore Drew Tennial poured in a game-high 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting with three 3-pointers. However, he misfired on each of his five tries from the free throw line.
NOTABLES
- Midwestern State plays its first Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament game at D.L. Ligon Coliseum since beating Southeastern Oklahoma State 89-80 in the 2006-07 title game on March 3, 2007.
- Midwestern State has won six consecutive games at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
- The Mustangs can secure a second straight .500-or-better season with a win in the opening round of the LSC Postseason Tournament Tuesday night against UT Tyler
- Midwestern State coach
Justin Leslie is one win away from his 300th career coaching win.
UP NEXT
Midwestern State battles UT Tyler in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
The winner moves on to face No. 3-seeded Dallas Baptist in the quarterfinal round Thursday afternoon at Comerica Center in Frisco. Tipoff is set for noon.
-- MSUMustangs.com --
