MSU Athletics

WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Sophomore Mason Gibson poured in a career-high 27 points to lift Midwestern State to a 93-75 win over UC Colorado Springs Saturday night in the finale of the Ashbrook Comfort Inn Suites Conference Challenge at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The Mustangs improved to 2-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season with a balanced scoring attack and by dominating the paint.

Gibson, who connected on 6-of-10 shots from the field, worked his way to the charity stripe to successfully convert on 13-of-17 shots. He was at his best in the second half, scoring 16 of his game-high total.

Fellow guard Pierre Sanders added 16 points, while Will Shepherd pitched in 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Sophomore Duncan Alevok scored 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench, and guard Bakari LaStrap battled through foul trouble to score 10 points.

MSU, which enjoyed a 46-12 edge in the paint and a 21-5 edge in transition points, took control of the game late in the second half.

The Mustangs held the Mountain Lions without a field goal for more than eight minutes after Jesse Iweze, a transfer from West Texas A&M, hit a layup to give UCCS a short-lived 58-56 lead with 9:57 to play.

MSU spun the deficit into a 20-point advantage in the closing seconds.

Freshman guard Xavier Martinez paced the Mountain Lions with 21 points.

Midwestern State plays host to Dallas Christian Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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