PORTALES, N.M. -- Pierre Sanders matched a career high with 21 points and Midwestern State turned up the defensive intensity to roll past Eastern New Mexico 71-49 Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Arena.

MSU limited Eastern New Mexico to 37.9 percent shooting as the Greyhounds managed 49 points on 58 shots as the Mustangs claimed their most lopsided road victory in nearly two seasons.

"It was good to see us be the team that took them out of their rhythm," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "They have shown they are good at making reads in their ball screen motion. We gave them a lot of looks to get comfortable. I was proud of our intensity and focus on the defensive end of the floor."

Midwestern State (9-13, 5-5 LSC) leaned on its defensive edge in the opening half as the Mustangs struggled on the offensive end shooting 39.3 percent from the field while misfiring on 11 of 14 3-point attempts.

Still, MSU held a seven-point lead at the break by frustrating ENMU into a 24.1-percent shooting while holding the Greyhounds to 21 points. It was the second lowest first-half output by an opponent this season.

"It looked more like a rock fight than a basketball game at half time, but if that is our identity we need to embrace it," Leslie said. "Our quality of shots in the first half was fantastic, but we just missed them. We guarded at high level in the first and knew if we would sustain that, we would be in a good spot."

Midwestern State didn't miss so much in the second half.

Five different Mustangs splashed in 3-pointers as the Mustangs connected on 7-of-15 shots from beyond arc (46.7) as MSU continually grew its advantage throughout the second half.

Sanders hit seven of his nine shots from the field with three 3-pointers to match his career-best of 21 set in last week's win over No. 12 West Texas A&M. 

Backcourt mate Terrell Wilson joined him in double figures with 14 points including a pair of 3-pointers, while senior forward Jermane Carter chipped in 13 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Senior forward Luke Hamilton buried two 3-pointers to finish with eight points, while Brown added seven points and five rebounds.

Marvin Mapaga scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds to pace Eastern New Mexico which suffered its seventh straight defeat to fall to 6-13 and 2-8 in league play.

Midwestern State takes on Dallas Baptist Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

NOTABLES

• Midwestern State connected on at least 10 3-pointers for the sixth time this season Saturday at Eastern New Mexico including three times in the last four games.
• Midwestern State limited Eastern New Mexico to 21 points in the first half. It was the second fewest points for an MSU opponent season. The Mustangs held UT Permian Basin to 16 points on the way to a 68-53 win on Jan. 15 in Odessa.
• The Mustangs improved to 7-4 when leading at halftime this season. It was the fourth time that MSU led by at least 10 points.
• Midwestern State limited Eastern New Mexico to 49 points on 56 field goal attempts for an average of 0.875 points per attempt. It was the third time MSU held the opposition to less than a point per shot this season.
• Dallas Baptist handed No. 1-ranked Lubbock Christian its first loss of the season beating the Chaps 75-73 at Rip Griffin Center. Midwestern State plays host to the Patriots Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

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