WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State took control of the Lone Star Conference race by doing just what it does best Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
The Mustangs controlled a healthy edge on the glass while converting 19 second chance points t come away with a convincing 67-54 win over Incarnate Word.
Midwestern gained a season sweep and the first tiebreaker against the Cardinals as the team came into contest in a tie for the conference lead. The Mustangs moved to 13-5 on the season and to 9-2 in league play while UIW dropped to 12-7 and 8-3.
Senior forward
Corbin Thomas notched his sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds while sophomore guard
Derrell Gibbs cleaned the glass for 11 boards of his own as the Mustangs limited the Cardinals to just four second-chance points on four offensive rebounds. Overall, the Mustangs controlled a +25 edge on the boards.
The teams exchanged the lead four times in the opening half as the Cardinals were able to charge out to a 9-4 lead after Kyle Hittle hit a layup five minutes into the game, but the Mustangs charged back on a 10-4 run of their own re-take the tread at 14-13 on a
Kevin Grayer layup with 11:00 to go in the opening half.
Midwestern got a series of contributions
Chris Buttermore -- 8 points and 6 rebounds -- and 12 solid minutes from freshman point guard
Conner Geiser with many of them coming before halftime as the Mustangs were able to work out a 27-23 edge at the break.
Junior guard
Cam Adderley kick started 11-2 run with a 3-pointer from the right wing as the Mustangs pushed the lead to 39-28 when
Corbin Thomas converted a three-point play with 15:24 to go.
Incarnate Word would push back to within 41-33 on a Denel Livingston lay up two minutes later but the Mustangs answered quick with an
Eddie D'Haiti layup and would lead by double figures the rest of the way.
Senior guard
Kevin Grayer paced the Mustangs with 15 points and six assists while Adderley notched his seventh consecutive game in double figures with 11 points.
Dionelle Rucker led Incarnate Word with 13 points while Livingston added 11.
Midwestern State plays host to Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday afternoon at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
 Â
-- MSUMustangs.com --