SAN MARCOS, Texas - For the second straight game, the Texas State men's basketball team used a large run to pull away from its opponent, this time defeating Texas Lutheran 72-31, Wednesday night at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats improved to 4-1 with the win, its best start since the 2007-08 season, when the Bobcats started out 5-1. 

The run against the Bulldogs came after Texas Lutheran had closed Texas State's lead to 33-26 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the second half. The Bobcats responded by going on a 19-2 run to take the 52-28 advantage. Overall, the Bobcats allowed the Bulldogs to score just eight points in the last 18:35 of the game. 

The 31 points allowed for the game was the lowest by an opponent since allowing 19 to Abilene Christian in 1957. With the 39 points given up to Howard Payne on Sunday, it marked the first time since 1952 that Texas State has allowed fewer than 40 points in back-to-back games since giving up 35 to Texas A&M Kingsville, and 27 to Sul Ross. 

Individually Emani Gant led the Bobcats in scoring with 18 points and seven rebounds. He also contributed a steal which led to a fast break layup, capping off the 19-2 run.

Kavin Gilder-Tilbury had an all-around game with 11 points and seven rebounds while also adding two assists a block and four steals.

The four steals were part of a Texas State season-high 19, just one off the school record of 20 set in 2002 against UTSA. The Bobcats forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over 30 times, the most under head coach Danny Kaspar.

Texas State will have two days off before returning to action against Prairie View A&M on Saturday at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 89.9 FM KTSW and www.txstatebobcats.com/radio.