Texas State holds off Lamar for win in road-trip finale

Texas State wrapped up its six-game road trip Thursday night as the Bobcats defeated former Southland rival Lamar in a 65-55 win.

Heading into Beaumont, Texas State head basketball coach Terrence Johnson knew his team was going to be in a figurative fight.

“We knew coming into this game that it was going to be a war,” Johnson said. “They’re well coached and talented. We had some guys step up tonight, especially Drue Drinnon and Davion Sykes, to help Mason [Harrell] carry us tonight.”

Johnson’s prediction came true as the Bobcats and the Cardinals fought tooth and nail with neither having a lead no larger than six points during the first half.

Though Texas State held the lead for the majority of the game, Lamar refused to back down and kept the game close throughout.

But, the Bobcats grabbed the momentum late in the second half. After leading Lamar, 53-51, Texas State proceeded to go on a 11-1 run to stretch the lead out to 64-52 with only 36 seconds left in the game.

It was that run late in the second half that proved to be the difference maker for Johnson as the Bobcats finished up their long road trip which spanned from Rhode Island to California, to the Hawaii Islands and back to Texas.

“We were able to lock in late and get quality defensive stops which led to good shots on the other end,” Johnson said. “This road swing has been challenging but our guys met the challenge and that’s all you can ask for.”

Leading the team in scoring was Mason Harrell with 18 points followed by Davion Sykes with 12 points and Drue Drinnon with 11 points.

Despite shooting just 38.7% from the field in the first half, the Bobcats stepped it up in the second shooting 60.9% in the second half.

Texas State is set to take the court at Strahan Arena for the first time in nearly a month on Sunday. The Bobcats will take on Rice at 2 p.m.