WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Texas A&M International (0-3, 0-1 LSC) dropped their first Lone Star Conference matchup of the season 79-53 to Midwestern State (3-0, 3-0 LSC) on Friday.

Junior Tre Thomas led the Dustdevils with 13 points as well as three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Freshman Journee Phillips posted 11 points with four rebounds and a block. Senior Matija Novkovic contributed seven points with four rebounds and a steal.

The fIrst half was close early as both teams traded leads halfway through the opening period. However, a  20-5 run gave the Mustangs a 32-17 lead with 5:29 left in the half. The Dustdevil held them in check the remainder of the half with MSU taking a 37-22 lead into the intermission.

The second half didn't get any better for the Dustdevils. Despite shooting 56 percent from the field (compared to the 27 percent in the first half), TAMIU was out rebounded 21-12 with the Mustangs outscoring the Dustdevils 12-2 in second chance points in the period. 

In the half, the Dustdevils were able to trim the lead to  11 points at 41-30 just four minutes into the period, but that would be as close as they would get. MSU took its largest lead of the game at 75-45 with 4:39 left, and eventually took the victory 79-53.

Both team will face off again tomorrow in the series finale at 2 p.m.