WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- UT Tyler could not overcome an early Midwestern State run, as the Mustangs maintained the early lead they built in a 76-59 win over the Patriots Friday night to open the two-game Lone Star Conference weekend series.

Emanuel Gant led the Patriots with team-highs in points and rebounds as he produced a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Micah Fuller joined him in double figures with 15 points and a team-high 5 assists.

With the loss, UT Tyler falls to 1-7 overall and 0-7 in Lone Star Conference play, while Midwestern State improves to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in the LSC.

Turning Point: The teams traded baskets to a 6-6 tie early in the game, but Midwestern State took the lead for good with a 14-0 run over a four-minute stretch early in the first half. That gave the Mustangs a 20-6 lead less than seven minutes into the contest, and the Patriots never got closer than six points the rest of the half while the closest second-half margin was eight points.

How It Happened: Emanuel Gant scored 13 of his team-high 16 points in the first half, including the game's opening basket and a steal that led to a Micah Fuller fast-break layup that tied the game at 6-6 in the game's opening minutes. Midwestern State scored 14 straight to take a 20-6 lead, as the Mustangs hit four three-pointers during the stretch.

Gant and Milan Szabo sparked a 10-2 run later in the half, pulling UT Tyler within six points at 25-19, but MSU scored 12 of the next 16 points and brought a 10-point lead (39-29) into halftime.

Midwestern State scored the first six points after halftime before Micah Fuller and Da'Zhon Wyche hit consecutive three-pointers to spark an 8-0 run which trimmed the lead to 45-37 with 17:15 left in the game. Later in the half, Micah Fuller knocked down all three free throws on a three-shot foul, pulling the Patriots back within 8 (50-42) with 12:18 to play, but the Mustangs answered with an 8-0 run as UT Tyler went scoreless for nearly five minutes midway through the half.

UT Tyler Standouts: Emanuel Gant's 16-point, 13-rebound effort represented season-highs in both categories as he notched his third double-double of the season. Gant added 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. Micah Fuller finished with 15 points to go with a season-high 5 assists. Da'Zhon Wyche also dished out 5 assists, and Milan Szabo provided 9 points and 4 rebounds off the bench for UT Tyler.

Midwestern State Standouts: Four players scored in double figures for the Mustangs, led by an 18-point performance from Derrik Ogechi. Luke Hamilton scored 11, and Pierre Sanders and Rommell Williams added 10 points each. Jermane Carter was one point away from a double-double, scoring 9 points with 11 boards, and Terrell Wilson had a game-high 7 assists for MSU.

By The Numbers: The Patriots shot 37 percent (22-for-60) overall, including an 18 percent (5-for-28) clip from three-point range… Midwestern State shot 40 percent (25-for-62) overall, but the Mustangs hit 32 percent (11-for-34) on three-pointers… Although the teams were relatively close in turnovers, with UT Tyler committing 19 while MSU had 15, the Mustangs capitalized by producing a 26-11 margin in points off turnovers… Midwestern State also held a 31-13 edge in bench scoring, although UT Tyler posted a 10-9 edge in second chance points off the Patriots' 13 offensive rebounds.

What's Next: UT Tyler meets Midwestern State again Saturday evening at 5:30 pm to wrap up the two-game Lone Star Conference weekend series, and the Patriots are back on the road again the following weekend for a pair of games at Texas A&M-Commerce (Jan. 22-23).