Feb. 9, 2008

Final Stats

Arlington, Tx. - A half time deficit of 23 points coupled with a 30 percent shooting effort from the field did not provide the Texas State Bobcats with much to work with Saturday afternoon. A second half rally of 52 points was just a little too late as the Bobcats fell to Texas-Arlington 99-81 at Texas Hall.

The loss drops the `Cats to 4-5 in Southland Conference action and 11-11 overall. The Mavericks are now 5-4 with the league-win and 16-6 overall.

A portion of the Texas State team that faced Sam Houston State last weekend showed in Texas Hall, opening with a 4-0 run over Texas-Arlington, but the defensive end was lacking and Texas-Arlington capitalized. Rog'er Guignard went 6-9 from the field in the opening half of play and 2-5 from beyond the arc for a 14-point opening.

As a team, the Bobcats were just 8-32 from the field at the half, shooting an even 25 percent. The `Cats were whistled for 17 personal fouls in the half, while UTA has charged with ten. Texas State faired better at the stripe, sinking 9-12, while the Mav's connected on just 14 of their 21 attempts.

The second half had barely begun before Texas State was called for its first foul of the half, but the proper defense was present. The Bobcats forced 20 turnovers and grabbed 13 steals from the Mavericks to piece together a second-half fury.

Brandon Thomas spearheaded the comeback as a true teammate. Nine of Thomas's 11 points came in the second half and six off the second-attempt tip-in to help his teammates.

With 1:23 on the final clock, Ryan White broke free down the line for the easy lay-up to put the `Cats within ten points, their closest mark to the Mavericks in their search for a victory.

Matt Fullenwider led the Bobcats with 19 points, one point shy of his all-time career mark at Texas State. Bush recorded 13 points and five rebounds to share the top-rebounding spot with Ty Gough. Brent Holder went 5-7 from the free throw line and hit a crucial three-pointer as part of his eight point night in Arlington.

Jermaine Griffin led the Mavericks with 26 points and 13 rebounds. The forward also recorded one of UTA's two technical fouls during the match.

For the game, Texas-Arlington shot 52.5 percent from the field and just over 74 percent from the free throw line. Texas State ended the night on a 71.4 percent effort from the stripe. The Mavericks outscored the "Cats in the paint 40-22.

Texas State finished with 42 rebounds while Texas-Arlington grabbed 53.

The most impressive mark for the team came at the line, with a 69 percent effort that translated into 18 points for Texas State. Brandon Bush, Corey Jefferson and Jonathan Sloan finished perfect from the stripe to aid the team.

The Bobcats remain on the road for their next contest, taking on SLC-East foe McNeese State. The duel with the Cowboys is slated for a 7 p.m. start.