Dec. 29, 2007

Final Stats

Dallas, Tx. - Brandon Bush and Brent Benson, the statistical chart toppers for Texas State, helped the Bobcats to a stunning comeback against SMU, but 17 second-half free throws from SMU helped the Mustangs to a 77-70 victory over the Texas State Bobcats Saturday afternoon at the SMU Holiday Classic.

The Bobcats and the Mustangs both shift to 6-5 records after the decision.

A Mustang lay-up in the first ten seconds of the game ignited the SMU offense and the squad would hold on to the lead for the greater portion of the game.

Within the first two minutes of the game Texas State was whistled for four personal fouls that unfortunately, was the theme for the game.

Down by five points at 13:21, Benson drained a three to put the `Cats within two, 7-5. Alex Malone answered with three points for the Mustangs, but Dylan Moseley came through to drain the second straight basket for Texas State from beyond the arc.

With the lead closing in on SMU, the Mustangs went on a 9-0 run to cushion the lead. A pair of back-to-back three point shots by Ryan Harp gave the squad a 12-point advantage over Texas State.

It was Ryan White who found Moseley again at the three point line for the next Bobcat score and lit Texas State's spirits. Brandon Thomas was able to rip the ball from Derrick Roberts and found Corey Jefferson waiting in the wings for three. Benson chipped in his second three of the half and center Ty Gough finished off the maroon and white rally for two points to end the half.

The Bobcats shot a poor 23 percent from the field, compared to a 53.6 percent effort from SMU that echoed on the scoreboard. Texas State entered half time down 14 points, 37-23.

It was a refreshed Bush that erupted from the break to hit the first two points for Texas State at 16:58. Jefferson complemented the guard's tenacity with consecutive shots from the field to rally the team.

Bush muscled his way to a three-point play underneath the basket and White blazed past the pony squad for a lay-up to send the `Cats on a 9-0 run over the Mustangs to bring the score within 10, 46-36.

An unfavorable encounter by the Texas State bench led to the first of two Texas State technical fouls for the evening. The pair of SMU free throws were the only points Texas State allowed in nearly three straight minutes of action.

The intensity remained on the court as 31 personal fouls were recorded during the final half of play.

At 6:50 Brent Holder doubled down for two three pointers to put Texas State within four. The first tie of the game came at 4:22, with the `Cats trailing by three. Benson drove the lane on a lay up and was brought to the ground by an SMU defender that sent the ball flying. Amazingly, the ball dropped in for two points and a free shot sealed the tie, 63-63.

A repeat event occurred that sent Moseley to the line and put Texas State up by one point. SMU answered, but Bush found the open court for two uninterrupted field goals underneath the basket, giving the Bobcats at 68-67 lead and sending the maroon and white fans into a cheering frenzy.

The Bobcats came within one point at 47.7 seconds with a jumper from Bush, but foul trouble set in for the Bobcats. Moseley, initiated by a taunting Mustang defender, was issued Texas State's second technical foul and sent SMU to the line with a 74-70 lead.

Roberts went 4-4 at the line to give the Mustangs a seven-point cushion to take the game.

Texas State's defense forced SMU to make 25 turnovers in the outing, recording 23 points off the returns.

Bush closed out the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Benson continued his notable play off the bench efforts with 19 points for the outing. Jefferson went 4-7 from the field to aid in his nine-point night, and Moseley finished with seven points for Texas State. Thomas finished with six rebounds, second-best for the night, and tallied four steals, half of the Bobcats total for the contest.

SMU was led by a 16-point performance from Roberts and Bamba Fall chipped in 15 points and three rebounds for the Mustangs.

The Bobcats will face Paul Quinn in their final decision at the SMU Holiday Classic Dec. 30. Tip is set for 2 p.m. and All-Tournament honors will be awarded following the 4:30 p.m. match-up between conference rival Stephen F. Austin and SMU.