WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- UT Tyler dropped the opening game of its two-game Lone Star Conference weekend series with Midwestern State, but the Patriots made progress with a season-high in scoring in an 82-49 defeat to the Mustangs Friday night.

Kelsey Crouse scored a team-high 15 points, and Azaria Reed added 12 points to lead the Patriots, who also had a season-low in turnovers while forcing 21 MSU turnovers in the contest.

With the loss, UT Tyler falls to 0-5 on the season, while Midwestern State improves to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the LSC.

Turning Point: Midwestern State used an 11-0 run early in the opening quarter to open up a double-digit lead over the Patriots, turning a 6-4 edge into a 17-4 margin halfway through the first quarter. The fast start helped the Mustangs start the game shooting 63 percent (10-for-16) from the field in the first quarter, including a 50 percent (5-for-10) clip from three-point range. In fact, Midwestern State kept its 50 percent three-point shooting through three quarters before finishing at 48 percent (15-for-31 for the game.

How It Happened: Midwestern State's 28-point first quarter helped open up a double-digit first-quarter lead, but UT Tyler answered by outscoring the Mustangs, 15-14, in the second quarter to trim MSU's halftime edge to 42-27. Midwestern State went over 20 points in the third quarter, posting a 22-8 scoring edge over the Patriots in the first 10 minutes after halftime, and the Mustangs cruised to the 82-49 win.

UT Tyler Standouts: Kelsey Crouse scored a season-high 15 points to lead UT Tyler, and Azaria Reed added 12 points. Shequana Jackson and Kayla James led the Patriot defense with 2 steals each as UT Tyler forced 21 MSU turnovers and converted it into a 12-8 edge in points off turnovers.

Midwestern State Standouts: The Mustangs were led by Sheridan Bostic's 23-point effort off the bench, as she scored 21 of her 23 points from behind the three-point line with a 7-for-12 shooting performance from long range. Frances King added 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to help lead MSU. Haevyn Risley grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, leading Midwestern State to a 49-25 edge in rebounding margin.

By The Numbers: UT Tyler did not attempt a three-point shot in the first quarter, but the Patriots finished 3-of-8 (38 percent) from long range over the final three frames… Midwestern State manufactured most of its offense from the three-point line, finishing 15-for-31 (48 percent) and hitting at least 4 three-pointers in three of the four quarters of the contest… The Patriots shot 84 percent from the free throw line, hitting 16-of-19 (84 percent) from the line in the contest.

What's Next: UT Tyler wraps up its third Lone Star Conference two-game series on Saturday with another matchup at Midwestern State at 3:30 pm.