Dec. 15, 2007

Final Stats

Austin, TX. - Brent Benson came off the bench to lead the Texas State Bobcats with 15 points and Brandon Thomas recorded his second double-double of the season as the Cats nearly upset the No. 4 Longhorns in a 96-81 decision Saturday at the Frank Erwin Center.

The Bobcats fall to 5-4 with the loss and the Longhorns remain unbeaten for the season, improving to 10-0 with the victory.

Texas State stunned the Longhorns as they opened the game with a 5-0 run and the `Cats maintained the lead until midway through the first half of play. D.J. Augustin sank a free throw at 10:15 to give UT its first lead of the game, but the maroon and white held strong battling point-for-point with Texas, as neither team led by more than five points in the half.

The Bobcats closed out the period shooting 42.4 percent from the field, topping the Longhorn by nearly two points. Dylan Moseley and Benson coupled for 20 points to take the Bobcats into half time down by a mere two points, 42-40.

Texas emerged from half time answering each Bobcat basket with two for a 12-6 opening run. With 15:45 on the clock, the `Cats reversed the roles with a jumper by Corey Jefferson to initiate a 10-6 Bobcat surge, bringing the score within six at 66-60.

The six-point deficit would be the closest Texas State would come in the final period due to an aggressive attack on the floor. Nineteen Bobcat fouls sent the `Horns to the line to stretch a lead the `Cats could not overcome. Texas finished 73.8 percent from the line, sinking 31-42 free throws.

Thomas notched his second double-double of the season with ten points and rebounds against Texas. Jefferson finished the night with a season-high 14 points going 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from three point range, while Moseley chipped in ten for the `Cats in the close call. Texas State was 41.7 percent from the field and was held to just 8-23 from beyond the arc. The Bobcats finished the night with 41 rebounds.

Texas closed with three players in double figures, with Conner Atchley leading the squad with a double-double night, finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Augustin notched 24 points, 17 of which came in the second half and guard A.J. Abrams finished with 20 points in the victory.

Texas State looks to snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday when they return to Strahan Coliseum to host Kennesaw State. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.