WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State Men's Basketball looks to snap a five-game losing skid, as they face the red-hot #6 Lubbock Christian on Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The Lone Star Conference matchup will tipoff at 7:30 p.m.

Midwestern State (4-8, 2-3) faced two tough opponents to begin the New Year, falling on the road to #20 St. Mary's, 88-85, and #13 St. Edward's, 90-68. MSU tracked back a 13-point deficit against the St. Mary's, but a buzzer-beater three by the Rattlers  doomed MSU to a loss. Against the Hilltoppers, Midwestern State struggled from the field as St. Edward's hit 12 three-pointers, establishing a commanding first-half lead and never looked back.

Midwestern State are scoring an average of 78.7 ppg, but have a negative scoring margin of 2.9, allowing 81.6 ppg. MSU are shooting 45.0% from the field, with close to 29 baskets per game. The Mustangs also slash 32.1% from three-point range, and 66.7% from the foul line.

The Mustangs excel in the fast break, scoring 15.4 fast break points per game. The figure is third in the Lone Star Conference, behind leader Eastern New Mexico (19.3), while being 48^th in the nation for fast break scoring.
 
Midwestern State pulls down close to 37 rebounds per game, while allowing near 39 rebounds per game. The 38.8 rebounds allowed is second worst in the Lone Star Conference, ahead of only Sul Ross State (40.8 opp rpg).

MSU offer a balanced scoring attack, with five players scoring more than 10.0 points per game. Terrance Ramirez and Charles McClennahan, Jr. each find 11.5 ppg, while Jonathan Jackson (10.6 ppg), Davyon Butler (10.4 ppg), and Orlando Horton, Jr. (10.1 ppg) all are key scorers for the Mustangs.

Jackson is one of the top three-point shooters in the conference, shooting 41.6% from deep with a conference high 2.7 made threes per game. The senior from Dallas, Texas 32 of 77 on the season, with a career high nine made three pointers against UCCS in the season opener. He trails Lubbock Christian's Kendall Dow in three-point shooting percentage (43.2%), as Dow leads the LSC in made threes (41).

Midwestern State leads the all-time series with Lubbock Christian, 31-17, with the teams splitting the season series each of the last three seasons. In last season's meeting at D.L. Ligion Coliseum, Midwestern State powered to a 67-56 win. On home court, the Mustangs are 19-6 against Lubbock Christian.

Lubbock Christian (14-2, 5-1) are on a blistering start to the campaign, garnering a #6 ranking in the most recent National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) recent poll. The Chaps have been well tested, playing five nationally ranked programs so far this season. Coming into Thursday's contest, the Chaps have earned five straight wins, including their last three against nationally ranked programs. LCU came away with two wins in their LSC road trip to start 2026, beating #13 St. Edward's in Austin, 88-71, and #20 St. Mary's in San Antonio, 66-58.
 
Antonio Pusateri led the Chaps to victory over St. Edward's scoring a career high 32 points on 14-17 shooting with 11 rebounds. The following game, Kendall Dow took over with 24 points on 6-11 shooting from deep in 40 minutes, leading the Chaps to a win over St. Mary's.

Despite the offensive performances from Pusateri and Dow, teammate Amondo Miller Jr. is the leading scorer in the Lone Star Conference, posting 20.6 ppg with 8.8 rpg. The senior from Littleton, Colo. is shooting 52.0% from the floor, while his 1.5 spg is a team high defensively.
 
Pusateri, who was named the LSC Offensive Player of the Week earlier this week, averages a double-double with16.2 ppg and a team best 11.0 rpg. Dow's 14.8 ppg is a key contribution, while the remaining starters Alex Anamekwe (11.5 ppg) and Lucas Mercandino (10.8 ppg) round out the scoring. The starting five for Lubbock Christian scores close to 91% of the teams 80.4 ppg.

As a team, the Chaps are shooting 49.8% from the field (2^nd in LSC) and 39.4% from three (1^st the LSC). Lubbock Christian take care of the ball with a 1.36 assist/turnover ratio.

Midwestern State continues the trend of playing nationally ranked opponents, facing #19 Eastern New Mexico and #20 West Texas A&M at D.L. Ligon Coliseum the following week. The Mustangs take on the ENMU on Thursday, Jan. 15, while battling WT Saturday, Jan. 17.