Sule’s breakout game pushes Texas State past A&M-Corpus Christi

Alonzo Sule put together a breakout performance to help Texas State down Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

The redshirt freshman forward recorded a career-high 22 points, including 14 in the second half, in the Bobcats’ 61-55 victory on Wednesday inside the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. 

Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the first half. The Islanders held a 3-2 lead after the first media timeout of the game. But Texas State answered with a basket and And-1 free throw from junior forward Nijal Pearson to take its first lead of the night. 

The Bobcats pushed their advantage out to 9-3 after back-to-back layup from Sule. A&M-Corpus Christi, however, responded with a 7-0 run to grab a 14-9 lead. 

But a basket from senior forward Alex Peacock combined with two free throws from junior forward Eric Terry put Texas State on top 15-14. 

The Bobcats and Islanders entered halftime in a stalemate at 24-24. 

Texas State began the second half with six points from Pearson and a layup from Peacock to seize a 32-27 lead. 

A&M-Corpus Christi, again, answered with a run of its own — This time in 12-4 fashion to regain the lead at 39-36. 

But Pearson sank a 3-pointer and Sule scored off a layup following a timeout to give Texas State a 41-39 advantage. 

After the game was tied at 47-47, Pearson fed Sule inside and the redshirt freshman converted a layup and a free throw to give the Bobcats the lead at 50-47. 

Senior guard Tre Nottingham made six free throws and junior guard Jaylen Shead converted two shots at the charity stripe late in the game to secure Texas State its sixth win in a row. 

The Bobcats are now 8-1 this season, which matches the best start to a season since the 1960-61 campaign.  

Alongside Sule’s breakout game, Pearson added 16 points, Nottingham amassed six points, six assists and five rebounds and Peacock had six points and nine rebounds. 

Texas State returns to San Marcos to take on Houston Baptist on Saturday at 4 p.m. inside Strahan Arena.