TYLER, Texas -- Midwestern State used a 28-point second quarter to open up a double-digit halftime lead, and the Mustangs led the rest of the way en route to an 81-63 victory over UT Tyler Thursday evening.

Kelsey Crouse led all scorers with a season-high 18 points, leading the team in scoring for the third straight game as the Patriots posted a season-best field goal shooting percentage of .476 (20-for-42). Tyreesha Blaylock added 10 points off the bench, but Midwestern State had four players produced double-figure scoring off the bench as the Mustang reserves scored 59 of MSU's 81 points in the contest.

With the defeat, UT Tyler dropped to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in Lone Star Conference play, while Midwestern State improved to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. It was also the Patriots' second game against a divisional opponent, dropping UT Tyler to 0-2 in divisional play while Midwestern State is now 1-0 within the division, which also includes Texas A&M-Commerce, Oklahoma Christian, Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS), and Cameron.

Turning Point: Kelsey Crouse scored the first five points after halftime, and Lilli Stewart followed Crouse's burst with a three-pointer, capping an 8-0 run to start the second half as UT Tyler slashed a 14-point halftime deficit to just six, 45-39, with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter. However, Midwestern State responded with a 13-2 run over the next three minutes to extend its lead to 58-41 just three minutes later, and the Mustangs led by at least 12 points the rest of the way.

How It Happened: UT Tyler opened the game with the first four points at the start of a back-and-forth opening quarter which featured three lead changes. Tyreesha Blaylock scored five points during the quarter, breaking a 6-6 tie with a three-pointer to help the Patriots take an 11-6 lead before knocking down another jumper to break an 11-11 tie.

Kelsey Crouse erased Midwestern State's 17-16 first-quarter lead with the first basket of the second quarter, attacking the basket on the opening possession for a short jumper in the paint for an 18-17 lead. The Mustangs responded with a 15-5 run over the next three minutes, taking a 32-23 lead with 6:34 left in the second quarter. The Patriots pulled within four twice in the quarter, the last time after a Blaylock free throw cut the lead to 35-31 with 3:28 left in the half, but Midwestern State scored 10 straight to close out the half and take a 45-31 halftime lead.

The Patriots opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, trimming the margin to 45-39, as Crouse scored the first points by either team for the third consecutive quarter, but Midwestern State's 13-2 run over the next three minutes gave the Mustangs a double-digit lead for good as they took a 63-48 lead after three quarters and maintained a lead of at least 15 points throughout the final quarter.

UT Tyler Standouts: Kelsey Crouse led all scorers with 18 points on just six field goal attempts, hitting 5-of-6 from the field including a three-point make on her only attempt from long range, plus 7-of-10 free throws. Crouse added five rebounds, and Lilli Stewart grabbed a game-high seven boards to lead the Patriots to a 35-34 rebounding edge. Stewart scored 9 points, and Tyreesha Blaylock added 10 points. Beezy Birchette scored 8 points with team-highs of 3 assists and 2 steals, and Aubree Adams added 7 points and 6 rebounds.

Midwestern State Standouts: The Mustangs were led by four double-digit scoring performances off the bench, as Liz Cathcart scored a team-high 13 points with a team-high 6 rebounds while Mica Schneider added 12 points. Hannah Reynolds and Frances King added 10 points each.

By The Numbers: Midwestern State produced a 59-17 edge in bench scoring, led by the Mustangs' four double-digit scorers off the bench… MSU also posted a 42-20 edge in scoring in the paint, and a 36-13 advantage in points off turnovers… UT Tyler snapped a three-game string of getting out-rebounded, posting a 35-34 edge on the boards… Kelsey Crouse scored the first points in each of the first three quarters… The Patriots shot a season-high 48 percent (20-for-42) from the field, hitting 16-of-26 (.615) on two-point field goals and 4-of-16 (.250) from three-point range… UT Tyler also registered season-highs in free throws made and attempted, hitting 19-of-34 (.559) from the charity stripe… Midwestern State posted the best shooting percentage this season by a Patriot opponent, as the Mustangs hit 34-of-69 (.493).

What's Next: UT Tyler resumes the Lone Star Conference schedule for the remainder of the season, wrapping up this week's home series with a Saturday, Jan. 4 matchup at home against Cameron University.