TXST MEN’S BASKETBALL
In a showdown between former Lone Star Conference rivals, Texas State continued to roll, winning their third straight game to beat the Abilene Christian Wildcats 63-49.
Texas State improves to 4-2 for the season while ACU falls to 3-2.
“I thought this was the closest game this season in putting together two halves,” Head Coach Terrence Johnson said. “Even more so, I’m proud of the way we competed. Last year, we had an unfortunate situation during practice the night before where Dylan Dawson goes up for a rebound and his shoulder gets pulled out of place. We were unable to practice because our trainer had to take him to the emergency room.
“Credit to them, [ACU] was ready to play on their home floor and they beat us pretty bad last year. We remembered that so I want to thank my guys, even though most of them were not here, for embracing the fact that I’m here and I’m a part of that. They wanted to come out and put on a statement game defensively.”
After falling behind 5-2 early in the game, Texas State answered with a 161 run to lead 18-6. Towards the end of the first half, the Wildcats made their comeback and cut the Bobcat lead down to two at 24-22. But the Bobcats closed out the half on a 8-0 to push the lead to 32-22.
Abilene Christian was unable to shrink the defecit back down to single digits as Texas State rolled through the second half en route to the 63-49 win.
Coming off the bench, junior guard Dimp Pernell led the team in scoring with 13. Freshman forward D.J. Hall completed his second collegiate double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It also marks the fourth consecutive game Hall has scored in double- double figures.
Senior forward Makai Willis finished with 11 points, marking the fifth consecutive game he has scored in double figures.
Sophomore Franck Emmou was the fourth Bobcat of the night to score in double figures with 10 points.
The Bobcats are back home Friday night as Texas State hosts the Little Rock Trojans. Little Rock enters the game with a 2-3 overall record, coming off a 89-68 loss to Murray State last Tuesday.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Strahan Arena.
