TXST MEN’S BASKETBALL
Texas State dropped their third straight game, losing to the Sun Belt Conference leading Arkansas State Red Wolves 85-74 during alumni weekend that honored past Bobcat men’s basketball players.
The loss drops the Bobcats’ record to 12-11 overall and 5-6 in conference play.
“My blanket thoughts are we have to find that grit and toughness,” Head Coach Terrence Johnson said. “That is the separator between playing a game and winning a game. We don’t play the game with enough toughness and grit to win a game, and we haven’t for a little while now.
It’s been missing. I’m looking and searching for it.”
Johnson also gave thanks to coaches and the administration for organizing the alumni weekend, which saw many Texas State alumni come visit the current players.
“I want to definitely thank Coach Mathis, Dr. Damphousse, Coach Proctor, along with our Athletic director Don Coryell for making this all happen,” Johnson said. “It’s been an unbelievable weekend to share time and stories with just fellow Bobcats — family members, as we say — so I’m really thankful and proud to be a part of this great tradition in this university.
“It was really good to see so many members from Texas State as well as Southwest Texas in the crowd tonight. I’m sorry that we couldn’t come away with the win.”
Following the opening score from Arkansas State, Texas State went on a 9-0 run to lead 9-2 over the Red Wolves.
After Arkansas State made it a five point game at 12-7, a 5-0 run by Texas State gave the Bobcats their largest lead of the game at 17-7.
While Arkansas State and Texas State traded baskets back and forth, the Bobcats led 29-22 following a three pointer from sophomore point guard Kaden Gumbs.
Arkansas State responded with a 12-0 run as the Bobcat offense went cold and allowed the Red Wolves to retake the lead at 34-29.
Going into halftime, Arkansas State led 39-33.
Starting the second half, Arkansas State went on a 10-2 run to extend their lead 49-35.
The Red Wolves extended the Bobcat deficit to 56-40 before the Texas State responded. A 9-1 run capped off by a three-pointer from senior forward Dylan Dawson made it an eight-point game at 57-49.
The Red Wolves later pushed their lead to 6451 only for the Bobcats to respond with a 7-0 run to cut the lead down to 64-59.
Unfortunately for Texas State, it was the last time the Bobcats could get to the Arkansas State lead. Arkansas State answered with a 9-1 run to push the lead to 73-60.
The Bobcats were unable to cut the deficit down to single digits again and fell to Arkansas State 85-74.
Senior forward Tylan Pope led the team in scoring and rebounds with 17 points and five boards. Dawson was second in scoring with 15 points followed by Gumbs with 12 points. Senior forward Christian Turner was fifth in scoring with 10 points.
Texas State will be back on the road Wednesday night against Old Dominion.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
