UAFS needed some last-second heroics by junior guard Tyler Williams to beat the Midwestern State Mustangs in the game between the two games nearly two weeks ago in the final game of the Nissan of Wichita Falls Conference Challenge.

The Lions needed some second-half heroics this time, too, but they didn't have to sweat the outcome so late the second time around.

UAFS watched its five-point halftime deficit swell to as many as eight with 14 minutes to play before roaring back for a 77-66 win at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions (3-2) swept the regular-season series with the Mustangs (3-2), who had won two games in a row. UAFS beat Midwestern State 64-63 in the final game of the Conference Challenge on Nov. 10 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Trailing 48-40 with 14:16 to play, UAFS went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes that junior guard Seth Hawley capped with a 3-pointer to give the Lions a 49-48 lead. Midwestern, though, rallied and led 59-57 on a layup by junior forward Bishop Coulter with 6:27 to play.

UAFS answered with a 3-pointer by freshman forward David Ward with 6:08 left to regain the lead 60-59, and the Lions never trailed again, closing the game on a 9-0 run to pad their double-digit margin.

The Lions shot just 35 percent from the field (23 of 65) – they were 9-of-26 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 71 percent from the free-throw line (22 of 31). Hawley, who made four 3-pointers, led the Lions with 18 points, while Ward had 16 points, senior guard Chris Crawford 15 points and junior guard Tyler Williams 14 points.

Crawford and Williams each had five of the Lions' 16 assists.

Ward had a team-high seven rebounds, but the Lions were still out-rebounded by 11 rebounds (44-33) by the Mustangs.

UAFS forced 21 Midwestern State turnovers that led to 27 points. Still, the Mustangs shot 48 percent from the field (25 for 52) – they were 6-of-19 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 48 percent from the free-throw line (10 of 21).

Senior guard Julian Starks scored a team-high 16 points off the bench for the Mustangs, who led 39-34 at halftime. Redshirt freshman guard Trae Jones had 12 points, while Coulter and junior guard Elijah Lee had 11 points apiece.

Coulter and junior guard Josh Wallace had nine rebounds apiece to lead the Mustangs.
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
UAFS 77, MIDWESTERN STATE 66
Midwestern State        39        27        --          66
UAFS                          34        43        --          77
Midwestern State (3-2): Starks 16, Jones 12, Coulter 11, Lee 11, Wallace 8, Thomas 4, Chatman 2, Harris 2
UAFS (3-2): Hawley 18, Ward 16, Crawford 15, Williams 14, Ekezie 6, Morgan 2, Sivins 2, Bowie 2, Boyer 2