Bobcats Steamroll Patriots in Home Game Victory

By: Mikah Lusby

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State Bobcats blew out the Arlington Baptist Patriots in a stellar 97-49 win on Wednesday night.  

It was a shaky start for Texas State. They missed the first five shots, three of them being lay-ups. The Bobcats started to take off within the first five minutes of the first. 

Multiple strong passes to the paint created easy layup opportunities for Texas State forwards Graduate student Tyrel Morgan and freshman Tylan Pope. Both players shot over 50% and had matched with five rebounds in the first. The Bobcats ended the first half with a strong 21-point lead, 50-29. 

ABU struggled to find lanes down low all game, pressuring them to primarily take long range shots. Their shots were not falling as intended, and they were outrebounded 24-43.  Texas State showed off their defensive skills with 10 steals and scoring 39 points off the 25 turnovers they forced.  

The Bobcats ended the night with 52 points in the paint, three more than the Patriots final score. Even though most of the Bobcats points were made down low, they made sure that each player got their touches. Head Coach Terrance Johnson spoke on the importance of spreading the offense.  

“We like to think that every night can be someone else’s night. In nine games we’ve had five players reach their career highs. It’s just who we are, it’s an equal opportunity offense,” said Johnson. “If nobody cares who gets the credit, everybody eats.” 

This mindset the Bobcats maintained allowed junior guard Colton Benson to let his game speak. Benson caught fire and dropped three-threes in a row within two minutes, resulting in 17 points, shooting 50% from both the field and behind the arch. 

“It was good to get my feet wet again. I missed the competitive nature of the game that I play,” said Benson. “There’s no better feeling, especially going through adversity and injuries. I’m just happy I’m back and happy to help this team.” 

Benson shined light on the significance of his first game back after being out for six weeks with an injury.   

Pope secured his second double double of the season this past Wednesday against Arlington Baptist. Pope’s hard work off the board got him 14 points and eleven rebounds, four of them defensive and seven of the offensive.  

Texas State executed multiple strong plays throughout the game. During a fast break towards the last minutes of the first, Graduate student guard Drue Drinnon faked out his defender with a deep no-look pass that landed right in the hands of senior guard Joshua O’Garro.  

At the end of the game, junior forward Bessanty Saragba tightly threaded the needle to junior guard Jaylen Jones, who then quickly dished it across the baseline to Austin Green for a two handed slam.  

The Bobcats are currently 6-3 for the season and they are looking to extend their four game winning streak at home this Sunday against Rice at 2:00 P.M. You can watch this game on ESPN+ or listen live on KTSW 89.9.