WICHITA FALLS, Texas – In its first game as an NCAA Division II competitor, the McMurry University women's basketball team found the going tough versus a seasoned opponent, falling to Lone Star Conference foe Midwestern State University, 79-58, at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

The contest was the season-opener for both the War Hawks (0-1) and the Mustangs (1-0).

For the record, the first points of the NCAA Division II era came from Tory Salazar on a short jumper at the 17:20 mark to cut MSU's lead to 3-2.

The War Hawks hung close to the host Mustangs and actually held a three-point lead, 12-9, with 12:55 left in the half. MSU began to pull away from that point, however. Jaryn Koenig canned three-consecutive free throws after being fouled beyond the arc, to draw the McM team to within one, 18-17, with 8:45 remaining until the intermission.

The Mustangs turned up the RPMs to close out the half, out-scoring McMurry 19-9 the rest of the way until the break and took a 37-26 cushion into the locker room.

The War Hawks were the victims of a tough MSU defense, committing 12 first-half turnovers. McM shot just 27 percent from the floor (9-of-33) in the opening salvo.

Ana Dominguez – who was held scoreless in the first half – tallied the War Hawks' first three point sof the second period. But MSU began to stretch its advantage, 41-29, with 18:02 left.

The Mustangs pushed their lead to 20 points (57-37) with 11:10 remaining in the game and were not threatened the rest of the way, keeping the War Hawks at bay.

McM junior forward Keshia Collins led the team with 11 points and also pulled down five rebounds. She also had three steals in her 28 minutes on the court and was the only War Hawk in double figure scoring.

A balanced scoring offense saw three players – Tory Salazar, Jaryn Koenig and Claire Bruffey – all tally eight points. For Koening, a junior transfer, and Bruffey, a freshman, it was their McMurry debut. Koenig went 5-of-5 from the free throw stripe, while Bruffey hit 3-of-6 from the floor.

Junior transfer Ashton Jones shared high rebound honors for McM with teammate Jamie Wilson, each grabbing eight caroms.

MSU's Andrea Carter had a double-double of 20 points and 20 rebounds, topping players in those categories.