TXST MEN’S BASKETBALL
In a thrilling game that saw three lead changes in less than 30 seconds, Texas State defeated the conference leading South Alabama Jaguars 93-92 in overtime after junior Mark Drone hit the game winning layup at the buzzer for the win.
The Bobcats and Head Coach Terrence Johnson improved their overall record to 15-14 and their conference record to 8-8. “That is a heck of a team right there and really well coached,” Johnson said. “The credit has to go to our guys and this home crowd. The crowd was absolutely amazing. They gave our guys hope from the tip and stayed with them. We fueled and fed off of that.”
Texas State spent the majority of the first half trailing South Alabama. Despite trailing, the Jaguars were unable to extend their lead by more than seven points, allowing the Bobcats to stay in the game.
With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, South Alabama led 31-25.
The Bobcats answered with a 8-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from junior guard Coleton Benson to give Texas State their first lead of the game at 33-31.
South Alabama retook the lead at 35-33 only for Benson to hit another three-pointer, putting the Bobcats back in front 36-35. South Alabama tied the game after a free throw to send the game into overtime at 36-36.
South Alabama again took the lead back from Texas State in the second half before stretching to 57-49.
Once again the Bobcats refused to give in and battled back against the Jaguars.
Trailing 77-73 with less than three minutes to go, Texas State went on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the second half at 7877.
South Alabama answered by hitting both the layup and the free throw to go up 80-78 only for senior Tyrel Morgan to hit the layup and tie the game up at 80-80.
The Jaguars were fouled in the bonus with 33 seconds left in the game and hit both free throws to lead 82-80. Again Texas State responded as senior Tylan Pope knocked down to tip-in with 15.4 seconds remaining in the game.
South Alabama was unable to convert on their possession to send the game into overtime tied at 82-82.
Both teams traded baskets early in overtime with the game being tied at 84-84 with less than three minutes remaining.
Pope hit one free throw before making the layup as the Bobcat lead was extended to three at 87-84 with 1:28 remaining in the game.
South Alabama answered back with a layup to cut the lead down to one only for Benson to hit a three-pointer to extend the Texas State lead to 90-86.
South Alabama answered with a three-pointer of their own to make it a one point game before Benson hit one free throw to push the Bobcat lead to 91-89 with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game.
The Jaguars then hit a three-point play with five seconds remaining in the to go up 92-91 and seemingly escape San Marcos with the win.
However, Texas State had one last trick up their sleeve.
Going the full length of the court, Drone took the ball and dribbled through the Jaguar full court defense before hitting the game-winning layup as time expired to seal the 93-92 win.
Morgan led the team in scoring with 20 points followed by Benson with 19 points. Senior forward Joshua O’Garro was third in scoring with 13 points. Drone and Pope both had 11 points each with Pope leading the team in rebounds with 12 to complete the double-double.
The Bobcats are back home Tuesday night in a showdown with the Troy Trojans. The Trojans are tied for second in the Sun Belt Conference standings along with South Alabama and Arkansas State.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
