Feb. 27, 2008

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Dylan Moseley drained three to trim a six point lead and Brandon Bush muscled for two points in the paint to put the Texas State Bobcats within arms length of knocking off the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, but the rally fell through and Texas State fell 74-70 at Strahan Coliseum Wednesday night. The loss gives the `Cats a 5-9 record in Southland Conference action, a 12-15 overall mark.

The Bobcats opened with a 5-0 run over SFA to take the lead early on and improve the tally to as many as nine with 11:43 on the clock. Brent Benson and Jonathan Sloan combined for ten-straight points over two minutes of action for the 19-10 posting. The Bobcats held on to the lead until the final minute of first-half play, despite a threatening takeover by the `Jacks.

At six minutes, Kyle Jacobs hit a jumper to put SFA within two, 28-26 and on the following possession spoiled the game-tying field goal on a missed dunk. Brandon Thomas wasted no time showing the foe how to connect, throwing down back-to-back dunks to stretch the `Cats margin. Brent Holder and Dylan Moseley emerged from the bench in the fifth minute to drain a pair of three point shots to hoard off the Lumberjacks.

But with 43 second remaining in the half, SFA sank two freebies to steal a Bobcat-lead first half by one points, taking a 39-38 lead into the break.

Ryan White went 4-4 to help the `Cats after the half-time, but nearly seven minutes would pass before Texas State would record its first field goal. SFA had forged ahead with 51 points when Brandon Bush went in for the lay-up on a Lumberjack turnover, 44-51.

Roles reversed in the second period and the Lumberjacks shots were raining down. The foe led by as many as 12 points in the half, while Texas State hustled for just a 27 percent effort from the field.

The final rally came with five minutes remaining on the clock, as Thomas hit two free throws for a ten point gap. Moseley dropped in two points from 12 feet out, while Bush and White hit back-to-back jumpers for an 8-0 run over the `Jacks.

Within five points of taking the game, Texas State retired for a timeout. Eric Bell spoiled the `Cats retaliation with three free throws, the game-winning points for Stephen F. Austin.

Texas State forced nine Lumberjack turnovers, while SFA hustled for ten and both squads as both teams shifted them to 13 points. Texas State held a 26-22 advantage for points in the paint, and held a one-point margin at 24 in bench scoring. For the game, Texas State shot 36 percent from the field to SFA's 42 percent effort. The team went 6-15 from three-point range and shot 65 percent from the line. The `Cats took a 43-38 margin on the boards, as well.

In Benson's starting debut, he shared a game-high 17 points with Bush that was highlighted by 6-8 from the free throw line and three from beyond the arc accruing 15 in the first half. Bush notched his sixth double-double of the season, coupling 13 rebounds with the tally.

Alexander led the way for Stephen F. Austin, shooting 5-11 from the field and 4-9 from the three-point line for 16 points. Matt Kingsley earned a double-double, finishing with 13 points and ten rebounds.

Texas State will travel to Huntsville for a bout with the Sam Houston State Bearkats this Saturday. The team will follow a 4 p.m. tip between the Texas State women's team as part two of the double header. Tip is tentative for a 7 p.m. start.