The Bobcats find themselves back in the win column after an exciting 80-78 win over the UTA Mavericks on Saturday.
Texas State fell behind early after UTA’s Anthony Vereen scored six straight points to make the score 16-7. But two three pointers by John Rybak and six points by Brandon Bush, who together scored 12 out of the Bobcats next 14 points, brought the Bobcats back to a 21-21 tie. Bush’s sixth point on the night moved him into fourth place for Texas State career scoring passing Henry Garcia who had 1368 points in his career.
Ty Gough aggravated a back injury he got during practice this week but Jonathan Sloan stepped in nicely. Sloan’s first of three blocks on the night came with 7:26 left in the first half. After another Ryback jumper the Bobcats had their first lead of the game.
The game went back and forth from there and after five lead changes and five ties the Bobcats lead the Mavericks 36-32 at the half. Ryback had 13 points and four rebounds to lead the Bobcats at halftime in both categories.
The second half started off slow for both teams with only one point scored collectively in the first three and a half minutes on the half. Then after Brent Benson mad his second three pointer of the night Texas State opened up an eight point lead at 40-32.
From there both teams went on a hot streak. Over the next seven minutes both teams shot over 65% from the field and over 80% from the free throw line shot of shot the entire way. Texas State’s eight point lead disappeared after a three pointer by Roge’r Guignard making the score 68-68.
The Bobcats opened up a four point lead again with 4:34 left to play after four straight made free throws. But not only did that lead evaporate quickly but actually swung in the Mavericks favor. They gained a 78-76 lead with 1:32 remaining, which was their first lead since the there was a minute left in the first half.
Corey Jefferson hit two free throws to tie it back up. With less than a minute left the Bobcats had a critical possession to try and take back the lead with 17 seconds left in the game. The play broke down and with the shot clock winding down Sloan threw up a desperation shot. The ball bounced out to the right wing where a charging Benson found it. Scooping up the ball, pulling up off his right foot, shooting with his left hand all in one motion Benson nails the flyer to take the lead. Fifteen seconds later and one great defensive stand by the Bobcats and Benson’s shot became the game winner.
Bush led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds while Rybak added 18 points. Overall the Cats were 20-25 from the free throw line.
The win brings the Bobcats up to 9-11 overall and 2-5 in Southland Conference play. Next up for the Cats is the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Strahan Coliseum on Wednesday night scheduled to start at 7:00. You can listen to that game online at txstatebobcats.com.
The game went back and forth from there and after five lead changes and five ties the Bobcats lead the Mavericks 36-32 at the half. Ryback had 13 points and four rebounds to lead the Bobcats at halftime in both categories.
The second half started off slow for both teams with only one point scored collectively in the first three and a half minutes on the half. Then after Brent Benson mad his second three pointer of the night Texas State opened up an eight point lead at 40-32.
From there both teams went on a hot streak. Over the next seven minutes both teams shot over 65% from the field and over 80% from the free throw line shot of shot the entire way. Texas State’s eight point lead disappeared after a three pointer by Roge’r Guignard making the score 68-68.
The Bobcats opened up a four point lead again with 4:34 left to play after four straight made free throws. But not only did that lead evaporate quickly but actually swung in the Mavericks favor. They gained a 78-76 lead with 1:32 remaining, which was their first lead since the there was a minute left in the first half.
Corey Jefferson hit two free throws to tie it back up. With less than a minute left the Bobcats had a critical possession to try and take back the lead with 17 seconds left in the game. The play broke down and with the shot clock winding down Sloan threw up a desperation shot. The ball bounced out to the right wing where a charging Benson found it. Scooping up the ball, pulling up off his right foot, shooting with his left hand all in one motion Benson nails the flyer to take the lead. Fifteen seconds later and one great defensive stand by the Bobcats and Benson’s shot became the game winner.
Bush led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds while Rybak added 18 points. Overall the Cats were 20-25 from the free throw line.
The win brings the Bobcats up to 9-11 overall and 2-5 in Southland Conference play. Next up for the Cats is the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Strahan Coliseum on Wednesday night scheduled to start at 7:00. You can listen to that game online at txstatebobcats.com.
Dalton Sweat- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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