The North Texas Mean Green came to Strahan Coliseum to take on the Texas State Bobcats and made it an exciting Saturday of basketball. Texas State led just about the entire game, and was up as much as 14 points late in the second half, but much like Wednesday's comeback attempt against Our Lady of the Lake, the 'Cats allowed the other team to get back in the game and lost 77-81 because of it.
In the first half, the Bobcats picked up where they left off on the defensive end as they executed their game plan to the "T." In my eyes, this was Texas State's best defensive effort by far this season, and the 'Cats showed great intensity on both sides of the ball. State kept feeding Cameron Johnson and A.J. Stewart down low and that is what caused the team to be so successful early in the game. The 'Cats got production from every one of the nine players that played in Saturday's game, on both ends of the court. No one had double-digits in scoring at half time but at least five players had five or more points. Another "eyebrow-raising" statistic for the Bobcats was that they had only six turnovers -- that's right, six turnovers in the entire first half. Senior point guard Ryan White was back to primary ball-handling responsibilities and he responded well, dishing out five dimes and no turnovers at the half.
Oh, but how things would change for the Bobcats after that...
After holding a 38-28 lead at the half, Texas State continued their success in the second period by continuing to pound it inside. However, as it has been all year, the Bobcats could not capitalize on their opportunities at the free throw line. They finished the game 12-for-22 shooting from the line compared to North Texas' 20-for-26 -- and the 'Cats lost this game by by four points, so you do the math. Nonetheless, even their obvious struggles at the line would not prove to be the daggers of this matchup.
The 'Cats held a ten point lead until Senior guard Josh White nailed back-to-back three-pointers in a ten second span. On the ensuing Bobcat possession, Texas State did not execute its offense like it had been in the previous 35 minutes, and repeatedly gave the ball back to the Mean Green. After a solid defensive Bobcat possession, Texas State knocked down two free throws, but gave up another three on the other end.
Winning this game would have not only lifted the morale of this struggling Bobcat squad, and also would have erased a little of those tough losses the 'Cats have suffered in this early season. We are talking about a North Texas team that has made it to the NCAA Tournament two out of the last four years, including last year, and is picked to win the Sunbelt Conference. So for the Bobcats to have held a convincing lead for over 35 minutes in the ball game, only to give it away in the end is... How can I put this... very disappointing.
On a lighter note however, Texas State plays North Texas twice this season, so they will get to see the Mean Green again in a couple weeks. Payback anyone?
The Bobcats fall to 2-3 on the season, and North Texas is up to 4-1. Texas State will be back in action next Saturday in Houston at 7:30 as they take on Houston Baptist. KTSW will have pre game coverage starting at 7:15 on 89.9 and ktsw.net.
Robert Fisher, KTSW Assistant Sports Director
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