MSU Men out duel Oklahoma Panhandle State 76-66

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Thanks in part to a 13-1 run early in the second half, Midwestern State University defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State University 76-66 in non-conference action Thursday night at Stockton Court in Ligon Coliseum.

MSU (5-2) trailed 38-37 at the half to OPSU (0-8). á After exchanging scores the game Panhandle led 43-42 with 17:12 to play. á That's when MSU's Eric Dawson nailed a pair of free throws to give MSU the lead and start the 13-1 run over the next three-and-a half minutes. á MSU would not trail again.

Panhandle State would eventually cut the MSU 11-point lead to three with 7:17 to go, but a three-pointer by Allen Houston ended the OPSU run and gave MSU breathing room down the stretch.

Midwestern and Panhandle were nearly equal from the floor, with both teams shooting 46 percent for all shots and 36 percent from the arc. á However, MSU shot only 59 percent from the foul line, hitting 16-of-27 from the charity stripe.

Dawson led MSU with his third double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds. á Houston added 15 points, while Eddie Rowe collected 11 points and a game-high seven assists. á Christopher Reay also grabbed nine boards.

Nick Malinowski paced the way for OPSU with 17 points and 11 rebounds, with Juan Carson coming off the bench with 12 points and Eddie Moss with nine.

MSU concludes it's three-game homestand on Saturday night against Southwestern Oklahoma State. á The men will tipoff about 8 p.m., following the MSU women against SWOSU.

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