sports
e thwichitan
7
Wednesday February 1, 2012
thewichitan.com
your campus/ your news
MSU tames TAMU-C Lions with a fierce 69-50 victor y Mustangs trample TAMUC Lions at D.L. Ligon but hit a roadblock in Stephenville. DAMIAN ATAMENWAN SPORTS EDITOR
After double victories against rivals Cameron University, the Mustangs dominated Texas A&M University-Commerce as they won their tenth straight home game. Keonte Logan made the first three points for Midwestern State then Darrick Thomas made it 5-0 with two freethrows. As the visitors were yet to make a point, JaMichael Rivers slam dunked which felt like a slap to the Lions’ faces. TAMU-C must have turned the other cheek as MSU went up to 15 points before finally conceding Desmond King’s lay-up. However, the Mustangs stayed in front and led the Lions with 20 points at the end of the first half. Rivers played an outstanding first period with eight points to his name as well as topping the scoreboard. Michael Loyd was remarkable as well, claiming seven points before the break. The players had barely got out of the dressing room when Logan sneaked in another smooth three-pointer to bring the second half to a start. Logan then assisted Rivers for his three-pointer as the Mustangs extended their lead to 22. Esteban Arriola stirred momentum in the TAMU-C offense as he came up with five quick points to narrow the Mustangs’ lead. Nevertheless, MSU fought back ev-
ery time the Lions made an effort. Although MSU dominated TAMU-C with a relatively large margin, the hosts still managed to score more points than the Mustangs in the second half. Midwestern had led the first half 36 -16 but concluded the second with a 33-34 score line. Rivers and Loyd contributed most to the Mustangs 69 points with 18 and 12 respectively. King, on the other hand, led his team with ten points while teammate Andrew Davis was up close with nine. After sending TAMU-C home with a 19-point defeat, the Mustangs made their way to Stephenville, Texas for a thrilling encounter with Tarleton State University. The game turned out more interesting for the Texans who were able to muster a four-point win. It was tough to play against the no. 4 team in the country but MSU Anthony Harris came out of nowhere to notch 20 points on the scoreboard as Loyd, who has been on top of his game this season, registered 17 for the Mustangs. Unfortunately, the Mustangs’ high scoring was countered by three consistent Texans who ensured a 79-75 victory. Shedrick Haynes led the contest with 26 total points while Chris Harrel and Fabian Wilson scored 19 and 18 correspondingly. “The main difference between both games was that Tarleton State went to the free-throw line a lot,” said Head Basketball Coach Nelson Haggerty. The Mustangs will host Angelo State University this Saturday at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
SPORTS AROUND CAMPUS The rugby team defeated Southern Methodist University 49-0 Saturday. The team will travel this weekend to battle the Fort Worth Alliance men’s side. Randy Canivel admitted that the recreational sports kick-off was a success. Eight teams and 100 players were involved in Monday night’s basketball games. The no. 4 Midwestern softball team will hold its season opener at Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas. The women’s basketball team beat Texas A&M University-Commerce 74-58 at home then lost 77-62 to Tarleton State University. Both the men and women’s basketball teams will play Angelo State University at the D.L. Ligon Coliseum. The men’s tennis team will visit Temple Junior College this Friday for its first game of the semester. The women’s tennis team will play their first game of the semester this Friday at the University of Texas-San Antonio.
Senior guard Michael Loyd goes for a three-pointer against TAMU-C Photo by KASSIE BRUTON
Softball gears up for another successful season BRITTNEY COTTINGHAM MANAGING EDITOR
Kallie Noble catches a fly ball during a practice session. Photo by DAMIAN ATAMENWAN
STIMULATE YOUR SAVINGS AT
TAFT HAUS APARTMENTS CALL OR COME BY FOR DETAILS!
AMAZING MOVE-IN SPECIALS! MONTHLY RENTS STARTING AT $385 PER APARTMENT
4611 TAFT BLVD.
(940) 692-1731 M-F 8:00-5:00
*ALL BILLS PAID ON SELECT UNITS *WASHER & DRYER CONNECTIONS IN SELECT FLOOR PLANS *UPGRADES IN SELECTED FLOOR PLANS *FLEXIBLE LEASING TERMS *CONVENIENT LOCATION TO MSU *WALK-IN CLOSETS *24-HR EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE *SWIMMING POOL *FREE WI-FI
Last week they received the most firstplace votes from the Lone Star Conference annual preseason poll. They have won more games over the last two seasons than any other NCAA program. The coaches were named the coaching staff of the year for the second consecutive year by the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Division II South Central Region. They made their first ever NCAA Division II national championship appearance. To say the least, the MSU softball team is prepared for another killer year. “(Last year) I learned that trust is a big part of the game,” junior Carey Campbell said. “As a player you have to trust your teammates, coaches and especially yourself.” The team has a few fresh faces including two new freshman pitchers. Head Coach Brady Tigert said every year the team loses players to graduation and go after freshman. “Every year we lose players to graduation, thus we have to add more and we go after freshman a lot,” Tigert said. “This way we can train them early our way. I hope they add personal confidence. Without confidence they cannot play at a high level.” With only two seniors left on the team, senior Mallory Mooney finds that being a leader is key. “I try to give (the newer girls) encourage-
ment so they get the feeling that they have just as much influence on the field as I do,” Mooney said. Junior Elena Bennett sees the senior players as natural leaders. “Mallory’s performance on the field speaks for itself and Nicki is constantly trying to keep us sane,” Bennett said. “The team wouldn’t be the same without them.” The team’s strength is hitting, Tigert said, while there weakness is pitching. “We have a lot of good hitters and we tell them not to press and attack our pitchers,” Tiger said. “Our pitchers are freshman so they have a lot to learn. They will learn by being thrown in the fire.” The outfielders strengths are that they are all returning players, junior Megan Chartier said. “We all know what is expected out of us and what it’s like to get the job done,” Chartier said. “We need to work on a lot of footwork.” Bennett said mechanics are crucial in softball as well as the mental aspect. “This is a new team, and there are some high expectations set for this team,” Bennett said. “I expect us to perform well. There will be plenty of pressure on everyone to execute.” This will be Tigert’s ninth season as head softball coach and uses a lot of different techniques with practice on how the team fields or hits.
Texas Driving School Defensive Driving
for ticket dismissal & insurance discounts $50 - We are less expensive than online! 5HFHLYH \RXU FHUWLÀFDWH DW WKH HQG RI FODVV
Call 691-2228 for info
Offered Most Saturdays
“The players know what we want out of them, so all we have to do is demand their best every day,” Tigert said. This season also had the addition of Midwestern State’s first full time assistant softball coach, Kasi Carrroll. “Coach Carroll brings a lot of energy and knowledge to the field on a daily practice,” Tigert said. “I cannot concentrate on certain aspects of the team while she has the other.” Midwestern State softball team kicks off the 2012 season against Ouachita Baptist University at Arkansas. Tigert admits the team knows nothing about their opponent. “They are a private school that does not give a lot of money to their program,” Tigert said. “They are up and down each year. We need to play our game individually and as a team.” Expectations of the first game is to come out with a win, Chartier said. In order to get a victory, we are just going to have to make sure we do the small things correctly, such as fielding the ball cleanly or not leaving base runners on.” Mooney has high hopes for her senior year on the softball field and said she wants to go out with a bang. “I want to give it my all and hold nothing back,” Mooney said. “I want to be able to look back at my senior year knowing that I did everything I could to make this team successful.”
KOCKS
Liquor.Beer.Wine Bar & Club Supplies
Happy Hour 10% Off 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Liters of Liquor & ALL Wines
KEGS Carry Out $81 plus deposit Bud Select Keystone Light Miller High Life Ziegenbock
Wine & Liquor Tasting Saturdays 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Owners: Victor Kocks & John Kocks 4505 Kemp Blvd. Wichita Falls, TX (940) 696-9229 Fax (940) 322-3872 www.kocksliquor.com Like Our Fan Page On Facebook