PUEBLO, Colo. — Midwestern State (1-1) lost to CSU Pueblo (1-0) 69-64 on Friday evening at Massari Arena after Kyren Allen put CSU-P ahead with 1:21 left. The Mustangs forced 18 turnovers and scored 20 points off them, while the Thunderwolves finished with a 39-26 rebounding advantage.
After CSU-P answered
Aric Demings' opening jumper and went ahead 4-2, MSU got a transition layup from
Tehshaundre Cole and a transition 3-pointer from
Vonte Sanders off steals to move in front 7-4, then stretched the lead to 16-8 on
Charles McClennahan, Jr.'s 3-pointer at 10:43. The Thunderwolves cut it to 16-11, but
Josiah Kirkwood, Sanders, Demings and
Levi Rutledge scored as the Mustangs stayed in front at 23-17 before CSU-P scored the next six points to tie it at 23 on Corey Hill's free throws at 5:19. MSU answered by forcing turnovers on four consecutive Thunderwolves possessions between 4:53 and 3:29, with
Cyrus Shaw hitting a 3-pointer and two free throws as the Maroon & Gold moved ahead 28-23. Cole's layup made it 30-23, but CSU-P closed with six of the final two points, and the Mustangs carried a 32-29 lead into halftime.
Theo Grant scored inside and
Kadon Jackson added two free throws early in the second half as MSU moved ahead 37-31, but the Thunderwolves answered with three straight baskets to tie it at 37. After CSU-P went in front 42-39, Demings helped pull the Mustangs back even with a layup and a 3-pointer that made it 46-46, before the Thunderwolves pushed back to a 53-48 lead. MSU responded with a late stretch that included a Grant steal and fast-break layup, Demings fast-break layup, and go-ahead baskets by
Theo Brannan, Sanders and Kirkwood, the last putting the Mustangs up 60-59 with 3:41 left. Marzouq Ibn Abdur-Razaaq, Demings and Kyren Allen traded the lead in the final two minutes before CSU-P closed at the foul line, with Jaden Kennis, Bryce Riehl and Quis Davis making free throws as MSU fell 69-64.
Demings scored a team-high 20 points and made seven field goals.
Kadon Jackson recorded seven rebounds and three blocks while adding six points. Kirkwood finished with six points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Brannan tallied three steals and three assists.
Up next, the Mustangs visit UC Colorado Springs on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. at Gallogly Events Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
