WITCHITA FALLS, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University women's basketball team (3-2) suffered another close 57-55 loss to NCAA DII Midwestern State University (1-2) at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Wednesday.
 
The two teams kept the game close throughout as the Mustangs enjoyed their biggest lead of the night with an 8-0 run to make it an 11-4 game with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter. The Lady Rams responded with a 6-0 burst, capped by a Falesha Fuller layup to cut the lead to 11-10 Mustangs. MSU closed out the first with a 15-10 lead on two for one with 26 seconds left.
 
The Lady Rams enjoyed a 19-17 lead on an Onyesonam Nolisa drive to the basket, and Wesleyan fought to maintain that edge. The score went back and forth but the Lady Rams found room for a 5-0 rally to end the half, capped by a Taylor Hooks steal and dish to Delana Lopez for an easy lay-in to take a 29-26 lead into the break.
 
Nloisa led off the third quarter with another swipe and was fouled on her way up. She knocked down both free throws to make it a 31-25 advantage with 9:11 left on the clock. The lead bounced between the two teams again as neither team ever found enough momentum for breathing room.  Leila Jdily-Ezzad threw down a two pointer from Katelynn Threats to end the third, giving TWU a 5-point 44-39 lead, their largest of the night with.
 
The Mustangs hit a three by Jacquar Westbrooks to start the fourth quarter and McKenna Villegas got a layup to fall to tie the game 44-44. Threats answered with a jumper to keep the Rams on top at 46-44, but Midwestern State tied the game again and then took a 53-50 lead with six minutes left in regulation. Courtney Chargois and Lady Rams did the same, taking the lead on a layup for a 55-53 lead four minutes away from the final buzzer. The two teams played very solid defense for over two minutes of game time, as both teams held each other scoreless during that time. Villegas finally connected on a layup to tie the game at 55-55. The Lady Rams with fouls to give tried to get the ball back to take the last shot, but the Mustangs held possession and Villegas hit a mid-range jumper as time expired to squeak by the Lady Rams 57-55.
 
Threats led all players with 23 points and 11 boards to go along with three steals. Nolisa posted nine points and nine rebounds in the game. Fuller tacked on nine points, four boards, and three assists.
 
 The Lady Rams will continue with their tour of NCAA DII teams with their traditional game against Tarleton State University on Saturday, November 21. That game is scheduled for a 5:00 pm start in Stephenville, TX.