The Midwestern State basketball team stunningly sent the Bronchos of Central Oklahoma home with a 69-48 defeat Saturday night at the D.L Ligon Coliseum.
Senior forward Darrick Thomas was deemed a real threat to the Bronchos when he finished off with 19 points and nine rebounds. Thomas announced his presence by scoring seven out of the Mustangs first ten points. Michael Loyd scored 13 while JaMichael Rivers put in ten to secure Midwestern State’s 21 point lead.
Loyd, who has been quite consistent in the Mustangs’ offense, voiced his opinion about the game.
“It was a good game, it seemed like our offense was clicking,” he said. “We knew what we were looking for and we played good defense as well.”
However, Spencer Smith was able to stand out from the Oklahoman crowd with 17 points to his name. Brent Friday also supported UCO with nine points, which wasn’t enough to bother the Mustangs stampede.
The Mustangs’ apparent victory got great contribution from David Terrell, who scored six points and rebounded eight, as well as Keonte’ Logan who also scored six and made three rebounds. Derrell Gibbs and DeJuan Plummer were able to notch four points and make two rebounds apiece for Midwestern State.
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Nelson Haggerty sees the Mustangs’ victory as a great achievement.
“It was a big win for us regionally. To play a good team like that and hold them is a testament to how hard our guys worked defensively,” he said. “We really did a great job shutting them down.”
Haggerty went on to appreciate the efforts of Thomas and Loyd, who displayed remarkable performances.
“Darrick Thomas had a great game, one of the best of his career,” he said. “Michael Loyd was solid for us. He played tough underneath the basket, scoring and rebounding.”
With Saturday night’s win, it is quite obvious that MSU is having a terrific season. According to senior guard Melvin Clark, the Mustangs have a good chance of winning it all.
“Our goal for the year was to compete for conference championship, host the regionals and be considered for the national championship,” he said. “Right now we’re on all three paths.”
Midwestern State has a better chance of snatching the Lone Star Coference championship after Tarleton State suffered a 62-53 loss Saturday night at West Texas A&M. The Mustangs have to win their next two games to achieve this goal.
After thrashing Central Oklahoma, the Mustangs improved to 22-2 on the season while the Bronchos fell to 14-11.
With this victory, MSU can see the light at the end of the tunnel which is the Lone Star Conference championship. The No. 2 Mustangs have to win their next games to get a shot at hosting the regionals.
“Tarleton got a loss from West Texas so we have to handle business in the next two games,” said Loyd. “If we win conference, that would put us in a good feeling going into the regionals.”
The Mustangs will host the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico this Saturday to close their regular season. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.
