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WICHITA FALLS  – The Angelo State men's basketball team fell 78-68 to Midwestern State on Wednesday at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The Rams (16-8, 6-6 LSC) were outscored 28-20 in the paint by the Mustangs (18-6, 10-2 LSC) and MSU made 81-percent (29-of-36) free throws compared to 59-percent (17-of-29) for ASU. Midwestern State hit 50.0-percent of its shots including 57.7-percent in second half.

"I thought we came out and competed with great enthusiasm," ASU head coach Chris Beard said. "But we just didn't execute down the stretch and couldn't get a stop. We had some quality shots from where I was sitting, but the ball just wouldn't go down. Give Midwestern credit. This is what good teams do. They find ways to win close games like this. I was proud of the effort tonight and we'll get there."

Three Rams scored in double figures led by Kenny Williams 18 points. Tommy Woolridge and Omari Gudul each added 10 points. ASU shot 44-percent in a game that saw 15 lead changes and 12 ties. The first half was back and forth as neither team led by more than five points. Tied at 10 at the 13:38 mark, MSU scored five-straight points to go up 15-10.

The Rams made it 62-61 on a Williams' free throw with 5:08 to play in the game but MSU outscored ASU 16-7 down the stretch. A Woolridge 3-pointer sparked an 11-2 run by the Rams and a 21-17 lead with 7:20 to go in the first half. The Mustangs went on a 7-2 run to regain the lead at 24-23 but ASU would take a 32-30 lead in at halftime.

Coming out of halftime the two teams were at 44 with 12:48 left in the game. Woolridge hit his second 3-pointer of the night a 7-3 run that was capped off with back-to-back baskets by Daniel Skinner. MSU would tie it at 57 at the 8:13 mark and start to pull away.

ASU was outscored 21-11 in the last 8:13 of the game. The Mustangs were led by 24 points from Xavier Blackburn. JaMichael Rivers scored 16 points and Monzaigo Williams added 15. The Rams will host their final home game of the season on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Cameron at Stephens Arena in the Junell Center. 

"There's a lot of basketball left and we're basically in postseason mode right now," Beard said. "We've got to win and all these remaining games are important. Not only for standing in the Lone Star Conference tournament, but we're also going to have to finish strong if we are going to have a chance for a regional. We'll spend a few minutes tomorrow on what we can do better from this game, but then it's on to the next game on the schedule."