Wichita Falls, Texas -- In a game that featured five ties and 13 lead changes, the Midwestern State University Mustangs finally pulled away in the second half to slip by the Mid-America Christian University Evangels 81-73 in an exhibition for the Evangels Monday night (Dec. 17) in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The Mustangs, an NCAA D-II school that has made three straight Elite Eight appearances, used a 14-4 run over a four-minute span in the second half to pull out to a double-digit lead of 77-67 with 2:49 left.

The Evangels though wouldn't go quietly as consecutive baskets from Angelo Lewis and Charlie Shorter made it a two-possession game with 2:02 left.

But a jumper and two free throws by Kevin Grayer again built the lead to double-figures as the Mustangs finally shook and held off a gamed MACU squad.

The Evangels charged out to an eight-point lead at the break as threes from Lewis and Josh Minner helped MACU close out the period on a 14-2 spurt for a 38-30 lead heading into the locker room.

MSU opened the second half on a 6-2 run, but another three by Lewis stretched the lead back to seven. 

Five straight points from Grayer then started a 9-0 push that gave the Mustangs their first lead since the 2:09 mark of the first half.

The lead would then change hands 10 times over the next eight minutes before a jumper by Derrell Gibbs put the Mustangs (7-3) on top for good with 6:39 left.

Shorter led the Evangels with a game-high 24 points, while Lewis added 22 and a team-high seven rebounds.  Minner also reached double-figures with 10 points and along with Jarius Wilson led the Evangels with four assists.

Corbin Thomas led four Mustangs in double-figures with 18 points and Grayer and Monzaigo Williams each had 14.  Grayer led the way with a game-high 12 boards and tied with Eddie D'Haiti for game-high honors with six assists for MSU.

MACU will next play another exhibition at NCAA D-II Arkansas Tech University on Wednesday night (Dec. 19) at 7 p.m. in Russellville, Ark.