MSU runs with 107-96 win over Angelo State

MSU runs with 107-96 win over Angelo State

For Immediate Release Contact: Bill Powers, SID

February 3, 2007 Office 940.397.4818

MIDWESTERN
STATE
CLAIMS 107-96
WIN
OVER
ANGELO
STATE

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - The Midwestern State University Mustangs came out of the gate behind the Angelo State University Rams Saturday night at Gerald Stockton Court in D.L. Ligon Coliseum, but the Mustangs rode the inside power of center Eric Dawson to claim a 107-96 Lone Star Conference South victory.

MSU (16-4, 5-1) remained alone atop the LSC South and picked up its 13th win in the last 14 games. ASU (7-13, 2-4) remained fifth in the LSC South with the loss.

Dawson
powered his way for a career-high 30 points with 14 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots to lead the Mustangs. He hit a career-high 13 field goals in 20 attempts and made 4-of-5 free throws along the way. It was the 6-9 senior's 13th double-double of the season.

Despite

Dawson
's outstanding game, he wasn't the game's leading scorer.
Angelo
State
's Marcus Hubbard hit 7-of-13 threes as part of 11-of-21 shots from the floor on his way to a game-high 32 points with 12 rebounds.

ASU had the 2,033

Midwestern
State
faithful scratching their collective heads by jumping out to a 13-point first half lead before the Mustangs answered with a 9-2 run to trim the deficit, then a 14-3 run over the last three-and-a half minutes of the first half and take a 54-49 advantage to halftime.

MSU built a seven-point second half lead early before the game of runs went ASU's way as the Rams got a Hubbard three to start an 11-2 run in the next three minutes to claim a 62-60 lead with 16:20 to play.

Then

Dawson
was fouled on a layup and made the free throw to take the lead at the 15:12 mark, followed by a missed Hubbard dunk that led to a jumper by MSU's Chris Davis and the Mustangs never trailed again.

ASU pulled closed to one with 7:56 to play before Chris Francois buried a three-pointer to start an 11-6 run and the Mustangs rode high by 11.

Hubbard brought the Rams back again to within three at 99-66 on an 8-0, but the Mustangs got Drew Coffman and Chad Rickett to hit all six free throws down the stretch with a dunk from Dawson to close out the game.

In addition to

Dawson
's 30, Rickett tallied 25 points with six assists for MSU and sophomore Russell Button had a career-highs of 18 points and eight assists. Coffman calmly added 17 points with seven assists as well for the Mustangs.

Hubbard was joined by the Rams Ontario McKee with 20 points and five assists, while Quinn Barfield double-doubled with 17 points and 10 boards and Turner Phipps chalked up 17 points.

Both teams shot well, with MSU hitting 53.5 percent from the floor (38-of-71), while ASU was 50-50 by hitting 32-of-64 shots. MSU outrebounded ASU 37-36.

MSU closed out the first half of LSC South play with the win. The Mustangs start the second half of the division schedule on Wednesday night by hosting Abilene Christian. The men's game is to tip about 8 p.m. following the women's game that starts at 6 p.m.

+++ MSU +++