TXST MEN’S BASKETBALL
Texas State opened up conference play in dominating fashion, defeating the Georgia Southern Eagles 83-61.
The Bobcats and Head Coach Terrence Johnson improved their overall record to 8-4 and their conference record to 1-0.
“The first game of conference play is important to come out with a certain kind of mindset, and I thought I guys did that today,” Johnson said. “We had a little bit of a lapse to end the first half, but you got to credit these upper classmen. They came back out in the second half with a great level of focus and energy. Ultimately we were able to sustain that for the duration of the second half.”
Sophomore Kaden Gumbs had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Pho- to submitted by Texas State Athletics
Georgia Southern took a 10-8 lead in the first half only for the Bobcats to respond with a 17-0 run to lead the Eagles 25-10.
Texas State was able to maintain a large lead for the majority of the first half before the Eagles closed out the half on a 6-0 run to make it a ninepoint game at 42-33.
Despite holding the lead, senior forward Tyrell Morgan knew the second half was going to be critical in order for the Bobcats to secure the win.
“It’s very important when you’re up by a large margin,” Morgan said “A lot of people tend to get comfortable. That’s something we just never can do, especially at a Sun Belt Conference game that is very competitive.”
The Bobcats opened up the second half on a 10-2 run to lead Georgia Southern 52-35. The Eagles failed to make the deficit back to single digits, allowing Texas State to cruise for the win at 8361.
Despite being focused on winning, Johnson also pointed out how the Bobcats are also playing against themselves.
“For us, it’s us against us more often than not,” Johnson said. “We try not to clock, watch and look at the score. Obviously, we see how it ended, but the most important thing for us is to win possessions.
“So we’re so locked in and focus on possessions to where, you look up and you are up by a substantial amount. That it’s something that gets you there, as far as us being locked in and taking care of our business each possession.”
Senior power forward Tylan Pope led the team in scoring with 23 points. Senior shooting forward Morgan finished the game with a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Sophomore point guard Kaden Gumbs was third in scoring with 12 points along with eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Bobcats return home this Sunday in a showdown with former conference rival in the UT-Arlington Mavericks.
UTA is Texas State’s most played opponent in program history with this Sunday’s game being the 81st all-time between the two programs.
Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
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