ALLEN, Texas – The Aggies couldn't contain No. 11 Midwestern State as the Mustangs would defeat Cameron 88-72 in the Lone Star Conference Tournament semifinal on Friday night.

Both teams split the regular season series by winning on each other's home floor, but with the loss, the Aggies trail the overall series 25-46, and they are 1-3 when in the LSC tournament. The loss also marks the second season in a row that CU has been eliminated in the LSC semifinal.

"Our guys fought and battled," said head coach Nate Gamet.  "When you look at the minutes, you look at the points the same guys who stepped up for us all year did really well.  Credit to our guys, they battled and played really hard tonight."

The Aggies had four in double figures: Jamaal Brantley led with 19 points for his 14th double-digit game in a row; and with 14 points Aggie senior Deondre Ray hit double-figures in 24 games this season. Cameron Lee (13 pts), and JV Long (12 pts) followed.

Cameron relied upon the inside, scoring 44 points in the paint, but the Mustangs outmatched the Aggies behind the arc and line, making ten three-pointers to CU's four, and sinking 24 of 29 free throw attempts.

Gamet continued, "Our Achilles heel has been shooting the three all year, and we just weren't able to get back on track tonight."

MSU opened a 14 point advantage and held Cameron to just eight points in the first ten minutes, but the Aggies were able to cut the deficit to two with 2:31 remaining of the half with a couple of runs and a 45% (14 for 31) effort from the field. However, the Mustangs were just as quick, fending off Cameron with a 13-5 run in the final minutes to lead 44-34 into the locker room, helped in part by seven three-pointers.

The Mustangs would carry momentum into the second half to create their largest lead of 20. Cameron would work on a 15-2 run over three minutes to come within seven at 8:23 marker 66-59, but that is the closest the Aggies would get as MSU spurred ahead for the 88-72 victory.

CU repeated their 14 for 31 field goal effort for 45% on the game, while MSU shot 47% (27 for 58) on the floor. MSU also outrebounded the Ags, 40 over 29 at the glass. The Mustangs' bench came up big, accounting for 45 points.

The Mustangs were led by Sheldon Hagigal with 22 points and Jordan Stevens who netted 21 points.

Midwestern State (23-5) advances to the LSC finals to face Angelo State for the tournament title.

The Aggies end their season with a 16-12 record.