The University of the Southwest Men's Basketball Team had three road contests this past week as they looked to hit their stride after a (1-1) opening week of the season. They traveled to Plainview, TX on Monday to take on Wayland Baptist University in a non-conference matchup. They came back home and then traveled to Fort Worth to take part in the Texas Wesleyan Champions Classic on Friday and Saturday. As part of the classic, they took on the host Texas Wesleyan on Friday night and came back Saturday afternoon to take on (RV) Mid-America Christian University.
 
Wayland
 
Wayland entered the contest (1-1) just as the Mustangs did. Wayland started the game off on an 8-0 run, but from that point on the game was pretty even. Throughout the game, the Mustangs would get the game down to around a 5 or 6 point ball game and could never get a basket to make it a one-possession game to put some game pressure on them. Wayland felt comfortable most of the night with a 2-3 possession lead. The Pioneers were able to hold onto the lead for a 71-64 victory over the Mustangs. In the contest, Brandon Meadows was able to pour in 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists. 
 
About the contest Head Coach James Voight said "I felt we played better as a whole than we did in the Northern New Mexico Classic games, but still not where we want to be and a lot of work to be done especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think that our defense will help transition our offense."
 
Texas Wesleyan
 
The Rams of Texas Wesleyan came into the contest (3-0) after a year ago when they went (10-6) and made the NAIA National Tournament. USW was down at halftime 43-33 to the host school large in part to self-inflicted things such as unforced turnovers and missed free throws. The score should have been a lot closer at halftime than it was. To start the 2nd half the Mustangs cut into their lead around the 14-minute mark to 6, but that was as close as they would get. The Rams ended up going on a run and getting the game up to a 15 point ball game and were able to come away with an 85-71 victory. Jeremiah Toney led the way offensively for the Mustangs going 7 of 11 from the field for 23 points.
 
After the contest Coach Voight said "We turned the ball over too much this game a lot of unforced turnovers, missed a bunch of free-throws, and in the 2nd half we got outrebounded which gave them more possessions. I felt we competed for a good portion of the game but would always end up slowing ourselves down with a bad possession and they would capitalize."
 
(RV) Mid-America Christian University
 
The Evangels of MACU came into the contest receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Preseason Poll and sitting at (6-0) after a year ago they went (12-5) and made the NAIA National Tournament. This game was a roller-coaster-type game filled with runs. USW started the first half out up 10 points and then went into a long scoring drought. To build the lead they were getting out and running and getting paint touches and paint baskets to build the lead. Then they started settling more for 3 point shots and went cold. MACU was able to take advantage taking a 43-34 lead to the half. The Mustangs were able to start the second half with three consecutive stops and set the tone for the second half. Offensively the Mustangs went back to getting paint touches as they were bigger and more athletic than the Evangels. Once they established their presence in the paint it opened some things up outside as well. They also shot free throws at a high rate going 11/11 in the 2nd half en route to the Mustangs outscoring the Evangels 52-24 in the second half and securing an 86-67 victory. The Mustangs had three 20 point scorers in the game in Brandon Meadows (22), Alvin Thompson (22), and Ladarrius Spears (20).
 
After the contest Coach Voight saying "I was proud of our team effort this game. Not just because we won but because it was a roller coaster. We were up, then we were down, and we had to climb out of a hole together to get back up. We communicated a lot better with each other in all facets of the game on the defensive side of the ball (through screens, help side, transition defense), on offense structurally that helped us get the ball moving from side to side which made us tougher to guard, and maybe most importantly on the bench we were good teammates with one another. I think this type of win over a well-coached and good MACU team who had already beat two top 10 teams last week (LSUS and Bethel) just goes to show the talent we have here this year. I feel we can beat anyone in the country on any given day. It's really on us to grow from this and get more together as a team. If we can do that then we can continue to take steps in the right direction." 
 
The Mustangs now sit at (2-3) and their next contest will be in Las Vegas, NM against New Mexico Highlands University on Tuesday, November 16^th.