TXST MEN’S BASKETBALL
Bobcats bounce back with blowout win over Texas A&M San Antonio
The Bobcats returned home following their 35-point loss to Bowling Green and responded with a 114-55 win over the Texas A&M-San Antonio Jaguars. 1 for the season.
“I thought the guys did a really good job of bouncing back,” Head Coach Terrence Johnson said. “I thought their focus, attitude and effort was better than it was two nights ago. So super thankful for them buying into what it is that we’re doing tonight and taking a step in the right direction.”
Coming off a disappointing loss to the Falcons, Johnson was proud of how the team responded to the defeat and not letting the setback affect their performance.
“We didn’t play the way that we wanted to play in the opener, clearly, and we didn’t respond to adversity the way we wanted to,” Johnson said. “But we had a choice today. We had a choice to either be that team or be better than that team. We were better than that team who played two nights ago.
“We practiced, watched film, and addressed some of the things that got us beat. I felt tonight, we came out with a different kind of mindset. So proud of those guys for their effort and just the humility in their approach tonight.”
Senior guard Mark Drone and junior guard Kaden Gumbs led the team in scoring with 19 and 16 points respectively. Gumbs also finished with eight assists and five rebounds. Senior Makai Willis led the team rebounds with seven along with 12 points. Junior Dimp Pernell was third in scoring with 13 points, going 5-5 from field goal range and 3-3 from three-point range. Freshman Robert Fields was the fifth Bobcat to finish in double figures for scoring with 11 points.
With Drone and Gumbs now being elevated into leadership positions on the team, Johnson emphasized the importance of the duo continuing to develop as leaders both on and off the court.
“The tone was set by Mark Drone and Kaden Gumbs and that’s something that didn’t happen the other night,” Johnson said. “Those guys have to be our generals every night. Last year we had some veterans, so those guys didn’t have to necessarily do that. You had a guy like Tylan Pope that played ball at three different schools before he got you here and he knew how to win. Then you had a guy like Christian Turner, who was just everybody’s leader. So those guys were able to set different tones.
“Now these guys are walking into a situation where they are no longer complimentary pieces. They are the main part. [Against Bowling Green] that’s one of the messages that we got from that night.”
The Bobcats return to play this weekend to take on the Tulane Green Wave. The Green Wave are coming off a 85-72 win over the Samford Bulldogs. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. Saturday in New Orleans.
Junior guard Kaden Gumbs, a San Marcos High School graduate, finished the game with 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Bobcats 11455 win over the Texas A&M-San Antonio Jaguars. Gumbs is one of three returners back from last year’s team. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Senior Mark Drone led the team in scoring with 19 points. The duo of Drone and Gumbs look to lead the team as returning starters from last year. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
The win improves Texas State’s record to 1--
