San Marcos, Texas – The Texas State (8-8, 1-2 SLC) men's basketball team hit the floor today with a renewed energy, as it was victorious over visiting McNeese State 6-9, 2-1 SLC). The Bobcats handed the Cowboys its first conference loss of the season in front of a home crowd.

Reid Koenen registered a career-high 15 points and eight rebounds. Matt Staff recorded fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Vonn Jones added 15 points and four rebounds, while Brooks Ybarra had 13 points and five rebounds.

The Bobcats began the game on a 17-5 run that was sparked by a Travis Jones layup.  Texas State led by as many as 15 points, when Staff hit a jumper in the paint with 11:54 to go in the game. Ten seconds later Ybarra got the crowd off its feet with a dunk that was perfect for SportsCenter's Top 10 plays.

Texas State was able to keep a 10+ point lead for the next eight minutes with production from all the players on the floor. McNeese State was able to come to within nine points after a pair of free throws by Patrick Richard.

The Bobcats shot 12 free throws over the final three minutes, as the Cowboys were pressuring the ball. Texas State missed just two of its attempts to end the game on top and come away with the win.

Texas State entered halftime with a 32-31 lead over the Cowboys. Koenen had 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting and five rebounds. The Bobcats committed 13 errors to hinder their first half effort, but hung on to the lead for the majority of the period. The Cowboys took their first lead of the game on a Jeremie Mitchell three pointer with just under four minutes to go. The lead would change three more times before the end of the half, as the Bobcats entered the locker room shooting 46.4 percent.

The Bobcats shot 48.3 percent from the field and 86.4 percent from the line. The Cowboys finished 36.4 percent from the floor and 77.8 from the charity stripe.  

Texas State will hit the road next week as it travels to Huntsville to take on Sam Houston State Wednesday night. Tip-off versus the Bearkats is set for 7 p.m. The Bobcats return to Strahan Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 21 as they host I-35 rival UTSA at 4 p.m.