The West Texas A&M Buffaloes had their chances Saturday night, but Midwestern State proved difficult to get off the field when it mattered most.

The Mustangs put together several long scoring drives and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 41-31 Lone Star Conference victory in front of more than 6,000 fans at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon. It marked Midwestern State’s first win inside the Buffs’ home stadium.

WT actually struck first after its defense forced an early turnover. Kameron Brown recovered an MSU fumble, and three plays later quarterback Knox Porter connected with Trace Clarkson for a 33-yard touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead.

The Mustangs answered with a methodical 13-play, 74-yard drive, finishing it with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Kaden Brown to Fabian Baez.

After the teams traded punts, Midwestern State grabbed its first lead late in the second quarter. Brown found Baez again, this time for a 10-yard touchdown that put the Mustangs ahead 14-7.

WT's defense continued creating opportunities. Dayton Navy forced another fumble that Phineas Allen recovered, although the Buffs couldn't turn that takeaway into points.

The special teams unit came through just before halftime. Herschel Craig III blocked an MSU field-goal attempt, Miles Hill recovered it, and the Buffs turned the play into a 38-yard Alan Anaya field goal as time expired. That sent WT into the locker room trailing just 14-10.

The Buffs carried that momentum into the third quarter.

Tory Simmons broke loose for a 31-yard run before finishing the drive himself with a two-yard touchdown, putting WT back in front 17-14.

That lead didn't last long.

Midwestern State responded with touchdowns on its next two possessions, with Kenji Johnson reaching the end zone twice to give the Mustangs a 27-17 advantage.

WT wasn't finished. Porter found J.B. Mitchell III down the middle for a 27-yard touchdown, pulling the Buffs within 27-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

That's when Midwestern State took control.

Brown connected with Case Peacock for a six-yard touchdown just two plays into the final quarter. After WT turned the ball over on downs, Brown added an 11-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion stretched the Mustangs' lead to 41-24.

The Buffs still had one more big play left in them.

Isaiah Orlandi took the ensuing kickoff and raced 94 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 41-31 with 6:08 remaining. It gave the home crowd one last jolt, but WT couldn't complete the comeback.

Porter finished 19-of-32 passing for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Simmons carried 10 times for 70 yards and a score, while Clarkson led the receiving corps with seven catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Mitchell added two catches for 35 yards and a score.

Hill had a busy night defensively, leading WT with 15 tackles, including 11 solo stops. Mun'Terris Ellis finished with 10 tackles.

The loss was frustrating because the Buffs created turnovers, blocked a kick and produced several explosive plays. The biggest problem was stopping Midwestern State from answering. Once the Mustangs found their rhythm offensively, WT couldn't come up with enough stops to swing the game back in its favor.

Now the Buffs have to regroup on the road.

WT heads to South Texas next weekend for another Lone Star Conference matchup against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Kickoff against the Javelinas is scheduled for 7 p.m.