Bobcats winning streak hits four games with win over Ball State

Texas State’s winning streak fights to live on for another day as the Bobcats defeated the Ball State Cardinals 68-60 to push their streak to four games.

It was another phenomenal night for sophomore forward Davion Sykes, who finished the game with a team high 11 points and 10 rebounds to nab the double-double, his third in the past four games.

“The momentum feels really good right now,” Sykes said. “We just have to keep it going.”

Also scoring 11 points for the Bobcats was the guard duo of both Coleton Benson and Jordan Mason.

Both Benson and Jordan were apart of the 39 bench points Texas State scored on Ball State while the Cardinals were held to zero, which was a major factor in the win for Head Coach Terrence Johnson.

“What stands out to me is team,” Johnson said. “We do not know whose night it is going to be. Dante Horne didn’t play in the game against App State, but he came in [against Ball State] and had great minutes. Then you have Chris Nix, who has been hurt for the past couple games, and he stepped up today and gave great minutes. Then Joshua O’Garro was stellar. ... Whatever we are doing we are doing it together, and we have a good chance.”

The game did not start as the Bobcats hoped as Ball State jumped out to a 13-4 lead early in the first half.

During the first media timeout of the first half, Johnson made his response simple.

“We cannot underestimate how bad people want to win,” Johnson said. “How they prepare, their focus and their desire to compete. I thought we came out very casual. And when that happens, that puts you in a situation that we were in.”

For junior forward Christian Turner, the Bobcats were not playing to the standard they have built over the past four games.

“We were not playing hard enough,” Turner said. “There is a standard that we are held to everyday, and we were not holding up to that standard. After that it clicked on us and we responded.”

Texas State’s response was a 17-3 run as the Bobcats took the lead at 21-16.

While Ball State managed to tie the game one more time in the first half, the Bobcats blew the Cardinals away en route to the 68-60 win.

Texas State will embark on a four game road trip this week as the Bobcats make the trip to South Alabama for a showdown with the Jaguars.

Tip-off is set for Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Mobile, Alabama.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc