Team of the Week: MSU Men's Basketball, January 17, 2013
By: Tobin McDuff
Updated: January 23, 2013
After unveiling the 2012 Elite Eight banner from the rafters of D.L. Ligon Coliseum the MSU men's basketball team took the floor against rival Tarleton State and delivered a performance for the record books.
The Mustangs held the Texans to under 17 percent shooting from the floor, limiting TSU to 34 points, matching the lowest point total in the programs history.
"It was an amazing defensive effort," says MSU head coach Nelson Haggerty. "You know, people say ' was it bad offense or great defense'. Probably a little bit of both. Everything we worked on we executed out there on the floor. I thought our guys played with a lot of energy. Our perimeter defense was really tough."
"Tarleton is a quality team," says MSU guard Kevin Grayer. "This isn't a bad team we just did this to. That makes our accomplishment that much greater."
The Mustangs blocked 11 shots led by former Burkburnett Bulldog Derrell Gibbs who swatted four.
"Tarleton. There's a special feel with it," says Gibbs. "And the gym was packed and people were ready for this game."
"Being back home kind of refreshed us and then there's Tarleton," adds Grayer. "That's even more incentive. It was almost like the perfect storm. Emotion. Energy. Mentally no one checked out at any point of the game."
It was Tarleton's fourth straight road loss, something which hasn't happened since 2001. And the Mustangs were more than happy to deliver the loss.
"They had trouble getting any quality looks, quality shots. And to give them a fourth straight road loss is extra sweet," gloated Grayer.
