Brandon Neel had just seven points in the conference-opening Lone Star Conference loss to Tarleton State. That was in November.
The senior do-everything small forward hasn't scored in single digits since, emerging not only as one of the best scorers in the Lone Star Conference but one of the most consistent. Neel is sixth in the LSC in scoring during LSC games with 16.7 per game (fourth overall, 17.7). Teammate Devante Pullum is fifth in LSC games at 16.9.
Neel was brought in last year as another cog in the wheel on a team that had Igor Ibaka, Pat Smith, Pullum, Magnus Richards and others. But he's vital for any succes the Mustangs may have this year.
In fact, he hasn't scored less than 19 points in any MSU victory this season. He averages 24 points in those wins. Even with foul trouble early Thursday Neel shook it off and scored 17 points in his 26 minutes. If a block/charge goes his way late, he'd have scored his 19 (or more) and the Mustangs would have scored their biggest win of the year instead of a heartbreaking 91-88 overtime loss at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Thursday's game: Commerce finds bank open, beats MSU in OT
Instead, they'll try to start the road back Saturday at Tarleton State (11-8, 6-4). The Texans aren't ruling the LSC, either, these days but have stayed above water as the third-best field-goal defense in league play and the third-best shooting percentage. MSU is still ninth in FG defense and dead last defending the 3 even after a good performance Thursday in holding Commerce to 41 percent overall.
"This team is continuing to fight," MSU coach Nelson Haggerty said. "To be in position to win let's me know we're still at it and we're continuing to get better.
"It's going to turn over to wins at some point. We just have to stick with it and we're definitely committed to doing so."
WOMEN
MSU (10-7, 7-4) at Tarleton State (13-6, 7-4), 2 p.m.
Video: Tarletonsports.com
Audio: ESPN 95.5 FM or 955espn.com
Notable: Tarleton State and MSU are tied, along with West Texas A&M, at 7-4 for third place in the LSC. ... After facing the top LSC scoring duo Thursday in Brianna Wise and Arteajah Gay in Commerce the Mustangs face the second-highest pair in Tarleton's Mackenzie Hailey and McKinley Bostad (30.6 points in LSC games). ... MSU won the first matchup and leads the all-time series, 37-32.
MEN
MSU (6-13, 3-7) at Tarleton State (11-8, 6-4), 4 p.m.
Video: Tarletonsports.com
Audio: ESPN 95.5 FM or 955espn.com
Notable: Once among the most physically gifted teams at getting to the rim the Texans ranked seventh with 21.3 free-throw attempts per game in LSC play. Tarleton is ninth in turnover margin, a category MSU would love to win after losing the points-off-turnovers battle, 32-12, Thursday. ... Corinthian Ramsey of the Texans is 3rd in the LSC at 18.9 points per game but was held to one point in Wichita Falls this season.