WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Senior Larry Donnell made a season-high 12 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown, while Joseph Carlson connected on three field goals Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

But it wasn't enough for Midwestern State to overcome a quick start by Western Oregon as the Wolves held on for a 21-16 Lone Star Conference victory.

Western Oregon took advantage of a shanked punt and an interception to score a pair of early touchdowns and led 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

Sophomore Jordan McCarty connected with Damon Hickok on a 19-yard screen pass for a touchdown as part of a five-play, 36-yard drive as the Wolves drew first blood just over four minutes into the game.

WOU's Andrew Simpson intercepted MSU starting quarterback Matthew Duncan and returned the ball 19 yards to the MSU 20-yard line to set up the Wolves second score of the game -- a 1-yard keeper by McCarty.

Carlson connected on a field goals of 50 and 25 yards to pull the Mustangs back to with 14-6 at halftime before Western Oregon pushed the advantage to 21-6 on McCarty's second scoring strike of the game -- a 19-yard hook-up with Isaiah Rickard on the Wolves' opening drive of the second half.

The Mustangs cashed on on a break in the third quarter when Dylan Hofferichter stripped McCarty of the ball and Donnell picked it up and raced 66 yards to narrow WOU's advantage to 21-13.

Carlson then tacked on his third field goal of the game -- from 45 yards out -- to make the score 21-16 with 12:03 to go.

The Mustangs worked the ball inside the Red Zone in the closing minute of the game, but Western Oregon held off for the win to improve to 6-3 on the season and 6-1 in conference play.

Midwestern State (3-6, 2-5 LSC) hits the road to take on West Texas A&M Saturday night in Canyon. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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