Bobcats overcome South Alabama comeback to break four game losing streak

Texas State snapped a four game losing streak by withstanding a furious South Alabama comeback as the Bobcats defeated the Jaguars 74-66.

It was a career night for sophomore Davion Sykes, who completed his first career double with a career high 18 points and a career high 11 rebounds.

“It was really good getting this win tonight,” Sykes said. “We had our heads down for a long time trying to push through and finish out games. Today just the fact we were able to close out a game and see what it looks like, we are ready to keep the momentum going.”

Also leading the Bobcats was senior guard Dylan Dawson who finished the game with 16 points including going 4-6 from the three point line.

“It was just something we really needed this year, especially at this point of the season,” Dawson said. “We are still trying to find ourselves out there and tonight helped us do that.”

It was a big victory for the Bobcats and Head Coach Terrence Johnson as Texas State got their first home win in 2024.

“It feels good to finally get one,” Johnson said. “When it takes a while like that, to be completely honest, you deal with a lot of uncertainties and doubt. You start hunting it, coaching the game, and start playing the game for that moment rather than locking it in and enjoying the process.'

“We took a step in maturity a little bit,” Johnson said. “Just embracing changes to our starting lineup… credit has to go to the players for holding on to the rope so yeah I think we took a step forward.”

Texas State entered the second half with a 28-24 lead capped off by a Dawson buzzer beating three pointer at the end of the first half.

South Alabama hitting the second half opening three pointer only for the Bobcats responded with a 11-0 run to extend their lead to 39-27 punctuated by another Dawson three pointer.

Texas State continued to hold a 12-point advantage at 44-32 until the Jaguars went on a 16-3 run to take their first lead of the game since the first half at 48-47.

In a season where the Bobcats had struggled with opposing teams making big runs only for Texas State not to be able to respond back, it was gut-check time for the Bobcats.

“There is a time in the second half where there is a fight or flight mentality,” Johnson said. “What we put on the board today was pride and that we needed to fight. We reminded the guys in that timeout that this is the moment. The one we have been preparing all week for that you can either fight or flight. I’m proud of these guys.”

With Texas State trailing, the Bobcats knew they needed to regroup and refocus to not only retake the lead but also snap their losing skid.

“Coming into the huddle, we had to settle ourselves down,” Dawson said. “We knew they were going to be on the run. Basketball is a game of runs, so we had to settle in, lock in, come together and help each other. That is one that we have been saying a lot.”

The Bobcats hit back as sophomore guard Jordan Mason knocked the three pointer to put Texas State out in front 50-48. Mason hit another three pointer on the Bobcats next possession to put Texas State back up at 53-48.

South Alabama hit two free throws to cut the lead down 53-50 but a layup by junior forward Brandon Love had the Bobcats in control at 55-50.

South Alabama was unable to regain control of the lead as the Bobcats held on for a crucial 7466 win over the Jaguars.

Despite the team’s struggles this season, Johnson noted how young his team is and how proud of them he was for pulling through for a much needed win.

“This is still a relatively young group,” Johnson said. “You have both Jordan Mason and Davion Sykes as sophomores and Kaden Gumbs, who is a freshman, but you are having to rely on those guys. Then you have Brandon Love, who is a junior, but you look at the minutes he played behind two studs of guys that won a lot of games. These are the guys that we are counting on. So I’m proud of these guys.”

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc