NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Four Texas State men's basketball players scored in double-figures led by Caleb Asberry's season-high 24 in the Bobcats' 85-65 victory Friday afternoon over Dixie State in the opening game of the Good Sam Empire Classic at The Matadome.
 
With the win, TXST is now 2-2 on the season while the Trailblazers drop to 1-2.
 
"I thought it was a great opportunity for us to bounce back from a tough weekend playing against SEC schools," said head coach T.J. Johnson. "I'm proud of the effort our guys put together for 40 minutes. This was a tough-minded group and Dixie State is a well-coached team."
 
Netting the first eight for the Bobcats was Caleb Asberry. After the Trailblazers' Andrew Schofield knocked down his second three-pointer of the first half, TXST went on a 13-2 run that was capped off by a layup from Nate Martin to take a seven-point lead.
 
The Bobcats extended their advantage to 20 at 44-24 when Asberry converted an old-fashion three-point play with just under 50 seconds left to play in the first half. DSU scored five straight points over the next 25 seconds. However, Asberry hit his third triple of the half at the buzzer to give Texas State an 18-point lead at the break.
 
Martin netted the first three baskets of the second half as the Bobcats opened the period on an 11-1 run. A layup from Nighael Ceaser to cap off the run gave TXST its largest lead of the game at 58-30.
 
The closest the Trailblazers would get the rest of the way was 16 off a made free throw with 4:24 left on the clock. Shelby Adams closed out the scoring with his second three-pointer of the contest with 22 seconds remaining.
 
Asberry scored 20 of his points in the first half. It was his seventh career 20-point game and the second this season. The senior also dished out a career-high seven assists.
 
"Caleb did a really good job of looking at the past two games and identifying opportunities to not settle and take advantage of taking players off the bounce," said Johnson. "He did a really good job of turning himself into a three-level scorer today."
 
In his first career start, Martin set career-highs with 14 points and three steals while grabbing four rebounds.
 
Netting 14 points as well was Adams. Isiah Small contributed 11 points and matched his season-high of nine boards.
 
As a team, the Bobcats shot 53.0% (35-of-55) with five three-pointers and knocked down 10-of-12 at the free throw line. They forced 22 turnovers which led to 32 points.
 
Next up for TXST is the championship game against the winner of CSUN and Eastern Washington. The game is scheduled to tip at 10 p.m. CT.