Box Score

Jonesboro, Ark. – Two days after its most thrilling victory of the season, the Texas State men's basketball team suffered a close loss, falling 73-68 to Arkansas State, Saturday night at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark.

The Bobcats were fueled by a 10-0 run in the first half and a 10-2 run in the second half. Right before halftime, down 35-24, Texas State began its charge led by Phil Hawkins who used a jumper right inside the lane and a layup in traffic to begin the run. Joel Wright and Wes Davis had the final buckets of the first half as the team held the Red Wolves scoreless for the final 4:18 of the first half and trailed just 35-34 at the break.

After Arkansas State regained a 45-40 lead at the beginning of the second half, the Bobcat defense put the clamps down again. Texas State held the Red Wolves to just five points over the next 7:23 of the game as the Bobcats went up 55-51. Hawkins was big again scoring eight points during the run including two three-pointers, with the final one a straight away three. He finished the game with 18 points, a new career-high for him.

The two teams jockeyed for position over the final 6:22 with Texas State initially holding a 60-56 lead. Arkansas State climbed back in and took the lead for good thanks to Cameron Golden who made a jumper, then got the offensive rebound from his own missed free throw and his another jumper from the same spot, just outside the lane, putting the Red Wolves up 64-62.

Texas State had a chance to tie, but missed free throws plagued the team down the stretch, as opposed to Arkansas State which made six straight and seven of its last eight in the game to help seal the game.

Wright led Texas State in scoring with 19 points and in rebounding with six boards. He also chipped in three assists and two blocks. One of his assists was a slip pass to Emani Gant which started the second half run for the Bobcats.

Texas State will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 27 against Western Kentucky at Strahan Coliseum. Tip time is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday's game can be seen on KBVO in Austin and heard on 89.9 FM KTSW in San Marcos as well as www.txstatebobcats.com.