- Box Score

WICHITA FALLS – The No. 5 Texans and the No. 9 Mustangs faced off for the second time this season as top 10 teams.  It took five periods of play and several back-and-forth's for MSU to narrowly upset Tarleton, 80-75.

MSU got the first bucket of the game, but it would be Tarleton who would put the first stretch of points together, taking a 6-2 lead by the 16:36 mark.

After the first media timeout, the Texans went on another run, extending their lead to 14-4 by halfway point in the first half.  While the Tarleton offense was on a roll, the MSU offense was sputtering in the face of the No. 1 defense in the nation.

The difference got to as high as 10 points with the Texans leading 16-6, but then the visitors hit a wall on both ends of the floor.  MSU took advantage of some sloppy play and stormed back to take a lead before halftime.

At the break, Tarleton trailed by just four points in their toughest road contest to date, 28-24.

Through the first 20 minutes of play, the Texans shot 30.8 percent from the floor and missed all eight of their three-point attempts.  Tarleton did manage to hit all eight free throw chances however.

Fabian Wilson led the way with 10 points and five rebounds at the half, while Wes Dipprey had eight boards and six points. 

Turnovers were even at eight apiece by both teams, but MSU shot 37.9 percent from the floor which made the difference in the first half.

The second half started with the host Mustangs adding to their four-point advantage, but the Texans came out fighting on both ends of the floor.

Tough defensive efforts and patient offensive possessions put Tarleton right back in the ball game.  The Texans took back the lead for the first time since the 5:38 mark in the first on a Damion Clemons layup at the 15:19 mark.

Tarleton now led 34-32 and had the momentum in their favor.  Dipprey added a jumper just inches inside the three-point line and sent the Texans to the first media timeout of the second half with a 36-32 advantage.

That score remained for the next few minutes as both teams got out of sync offensively.

MSU was able to cut the deficit down to one as Tarleton neared the halfway point in the second half.

The No. 5 team and the No. 9 team proceeded to give the fans in attendance a show going back and forth, trading bucket for bucket, lead for lead.

The Mustangs' Anthony Harris hit a big three to take back the lead, but an “and-one” by Coleman Furst tied the game at 41-41 with 9:19 remaining in the game.

MSU took a 46-43 lead with 6:15 to go in the game, but the Texans refused to give up.

Tarleton countered every punch the Mustangs and Anthony Harris threw their way in the form of three-pointers with clutch free throws and second-chance points.

Wilson sunk a pair of invaluable free throws at the 3:10 mark to make it a 49-48 contest.  Tarleton needed to hang on to the lead if they were going to leave Wichita Falls with a victory.

A stout Texan defense forced bad decisions by the MSU offense and Tarleton had opportunities to put the game away.  The Texans were unable to capitalize on crucial possessions down the stretch and as a result, it came down to the wire.

With under two minutes to play, Tarleton trailed MSU 52-49.  Wilson added a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game, 52-51.

The Texans took the ball back with 43 seconds to play and a chance to tie or take the lead.  A three-point attempt by Wilson went in and out and fell to a Mustang defender.  MSU converted two free throws after a quick foul, making it 54-51.

Once again, it was down to one possession for Tarleton.  This time Wilson nailed the biggest three of his life to tie the game up with 15 seconds to go.  MSU's last second effort fell short and the No. 5 and No. 9 teams were going to overtime.

The Texans struck first in the third period of play when Dipprey laid it in for a 56-54 lead.

The Mustangs made trips to the charity stripe, but were unable to sink the free points.  MSU went 0-for-4 to start overtime.

Frustration settled in for the Mustangs and they sent Dipprey to the free throw line on the other end.  Unlike MSU though, Dipprey sunk both to make it a 58-54 contest with 2:45 to go.

The Mustangs finally got on the board with a pair of back-to-back baskets and MSU took the lead on a big three-pointer, 59-58.  Tarleton had just 1:22 to take back the lead and finish off the Mustangs.

When the Texans needed a bucket in overtime, they turned to one man as Dipprey tipped in a Shedrick Haynes lay-up attempt, making it 60-59 in Tarleton's favor with 1:01 remaining.

MSU threw up a prayer of three on an ill-advised shot and the Texans rebounded with 25 seconds to go. Tarleton's shot fell into the arms of a Mustang player and MSU took the ball down to their end of the court for the win.  Keonte' Logan nailed a big three pointer to all but break the hearts of the Texans.

Five seconds remained and Haynes went the length of the court before dumping it off to Wilson for a last second bucket.  Just as everything up that point had gone Tarleton's way, it landed in the net before the buzzer went out and the game was going to a second overtime.  It was Tarleton 62, MSU 62 after three periods of play.

The Mustangs pulled ahead 63-62 with a free throw and landed the first blow of the second overtime.

Brian Word nailed a jumper at the top of the key with 3:48 to go, giving Tarleton a 64-63 advantage.  Dipprey added a free throw to push the lead to two points.

It wouldn't be a top 10 match-up though if MSU didn't have an answer of their own.  Michael Loyd hit two from the free throw line to tie the game up at 65-65 with just 2:30 remaining.

Dipprey went down and powered his way to another go-ahead layup, putting Tarleton back on top.  A defensive stop gave the Texans the ball back for a crucial possession.  Furst went to the line and sunk both for a 69-65 lead.   Only 1:34 separated Tarleton from another top 10 victory.

Logan hit another clutch three for MSU to cut the lead to one as a minute was left in the game. A three-second violation put the ball back in the Mustangs hands, who in turn went down and got a bucket and a free throw, taking a 71-69 lead.

Wilson went to the line with a chance to tie as 37.7 seconds were left on the clock.  He made both and tied the game at 71-71.  The Mustangs had the opportunity to end the game, but a Dipprey block ended the chance and the second overtime.  That meant a third overtime.

Momentum was in Tarleton's favor as Dipprey drew a charge that sent the MSU bench in an uproar.  The Texans took the ball over with 3:43, but more importantly fouled out Anthony Harris, who had 20 points on the night.

The Mustangs hit one of two at the free throw line, making it a 72-71 contest.

Both teams were exhausted as this point and foul trouble was an issue for everyone.  MSU added another two free throws to push the margin to three.  Under two minutes remained and Tarleton was starting to get short on possessions.  The Mustangs turned another failed Texan attempt into a basket and things started to unravel for Tarleton.

MSU had a 76-71 lead with 1:14 to go in the game.  The Texans missed their next shot attempt and were forced to foul.  With the No. 9 team at the line the rest of the game, Tarleton's hopes were erased.

Cameron Lenzy added a bucket late, but it would not be enough for the Texans.

No. 5 Tarleton fell to No. 9 Midwestern St. 80-75.

The Texans drop to 21-3 on the season and 12-2 in conference play.  Tarleton loses their second road contest and second road LSC showdown.

Overall, the Texans shot 36.4 percent from the floor and 89.3 percent from the free throw line. Wilson finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Dipprey had his own double-double with 19 points and 16 boards.

The game was tied 10 separate occasions and there were 12 lead changes.  It was a tough loss for Tarleton, but they will look to rebound in their last four LSC match-ups.

Head coach Lonn Reisman talked about the effort.

"I'm proud of our guys," said Reisman.  "They played their hearts out.  It was a tough game and we had opportunities.  It was so close you could almost feel it.  We have to move on though."

The Texans will return home and have just a day off before hosting Eastern New Mexico on Wednesday in Wisdom Gym.

For more information regarding the 2011-12 Texan basketball season, check out TarletonSports.com.