Drone scores go-ahead layup in overtime as Bobcats men’s basketball defeats South Alabama (2/22/2025)

By: Jacob De Luna

KTSW Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Tyrel Morgan, Mark Drone and Coleton Benson all provided Texas State with high-level performances to take down South Alabama 93-92 in overtime inside Strahan Arena.

Morgan recorded 20 points on 8-11 shooting to lead the Bobcats in the scoring column. In addition to playing the most minutes for Texas State this game, he also recorded three rebounds and three steals.

South Alabama’s Barry Dunning Jr. accounted for exactly 50% of his team’s scoring, erupting for 46 points against the maroon and gold although it was not enough to pull out a road win over the Bobcats. He shot 13-20 from the field and 9-12 from 3-point land. The only other Jaguar to score double-digits was Elijah Ormiston, finishing with 12.

The reserves for Texas State played a big factor into the result of this ball game. Off of the bench playing 22 minutes, Benson finished with 19 points including a 5-8 shooting night from the 3-point line. Fellow Bobcat guard Mark Drone scored 11 points, including the game winning basket, and also dished out six assists to tie the game-high.

Looking into the team stats, Texas State was able to out-produce South Alabama in several categories. The Bobcats finished with more rebounds, assists, fast-break points as well as points in the paint.

With this victory Texas State has won back-to-back games and posts a 15-14 record overall and a 7-8 Sun Belt Conference record. The Jaguars fall to a 19-10 overall record while going 11-5 in Sun Belt Conference matchups.

“Credit has to go to our guys and to this home crowd. The crowd was absolutely amazing and it gave our guys hope from the tip and it stayed with them, our guys fueled off of that,” Bobcats head coach Terrence Johnson said. “[Our team] did what they needed to do to make the necessary stops and plays.”

Through the first five minutes of play, the South Alabama Jaguars built an early 11-5 lead over Texas State. With 10:15 remaining in the opening half, the Bobcats were able to get going offensively and tie the ball game at 19-19 following a 3-pointer from Drone. The conference matchup remained tied at 36-36 heading into the halftime break.

South Alabama came out of halftime energized and opened the second half on an 8-3 scoring run, resulting in a 44-39 lead with 17:48 remaining in the ball game. Just like the first-half, neither team could pull away from each other or built a comfortable lead. 

With 9:10 left to play, South Alabama led 64-61. Entering the final stretch of the game with 2:45 remaining, Benson scored three free throws for Texas State making the score 77-76 in favor of the Jaguars. In a chaotic end to regulation, Tylan Pope tipped in the tying shot with 0:15 left to play. South Alabama attempted three-field goals in the final 15 seconds to break the 82-82 tie, but none of the shots were able to fall down.

Overtime was played just as close as regulation, as neither Texas State or South Alabama could pull away from one another. With the Jaguars trailing by two points with 0:05 remaining in overtime, Dunning Jr. was fouled but converted the and-1 attempt. He gave South Alabama a 92-91 lead at the free throw line.

In another chaotic finish, Drone was able to drive the full-court length and convert a crafty layup to give the Bobcats a 93-92 lead with only 0.5 seconds on the clock. The full-court miracle heave from South Alabama was short and the Bobcats walked off their home court victorious.

The Texas State Bobcats improve to a 15-14 overall record, while the South Alabama Jaguars fall to a 19-10 record this season.

The maroon and gold are scheduled to face another top-ranked Sun Belt team, the Troy Trojans (19-9), on Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. inside Strahan Arena. The matchup will be available to stream on ESPN+.