WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State (7-11, 5-6) secured a 73-68 victory over Oklahoma Christian (9-9, 4-8) on Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The Mustangs capitalized on a strong bench performance, contributing 33 points to the win.
The game began with Oklahoma Christian's Jason Clark scoring a layup assisted by Elijah Bailey, giving them an early lead. Midwestern State's
Tehshaundre Cole quickly responded with a layup, initiating a back-and-forth exchange between the teams. Orlando Horton Jr. was pivotal for MSU, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers and a jumper in a span of two minutes, pushing his team into the lead. With 1:04 remaining in the first half,
Terrance Ramirez extended the Maroon & Gold's advantage with a 3-pointer, assisted by Horton, helping the home team secure a 41-35 lead at the end of the half.
Jordan Reed opened the second-half scoring with a dunk at the 19:35 mark, setting the tone for the home team. Carson Jones responded with a three-pointer for Oklahoma Christian to narrow the gap. Down the stretch, Ramirez hit a crucial three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining, assisted by Horton, to give MSU a 71-68 lead. Horton then sealed the game with two free throws in the final seconds, securing a 73-68 victory for the Mustangs.
Horton scored 22 points, connecting on 7 of 9 field goals and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, while also contributing four assists.
DaCannon Wesley added eight points and recorded three steals, showcasing his defensive impact. Ramirez tallied eight points and led the team with five assists. Cole provided defensive support with three blocks and added six points.
Miles Gibson led the team with 21 points, converting all nine of his free throw attempts and securing eight rebounds. Bailey contributed with 11 points, five assists, and two steals, demonstrating his versatility on the court. Jones notched 13 points, highlighted by four successful three-pointers, contributing significantly to the team's perimeter shooting. Clark added 11 points and was a defensive force with three blocks, complementing his eight rebounds.
The next challenge for the Maroon & Gold is a matchup against Lubbock Christian on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, Texas.
