EDINBURG, Texas – Texas State (3-0) secured its best start since 2011-12 with the 72-65 victory over UTRGV (2-1) on Tuesday night at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
Dimp Pernell led the way for the Bobcats firing a career-high 26 points across 25 minutes.
Paul Djobet grabbed the first bucket of the evening in fade-away fashion from the charity stripe, before hitting the Bobcats' first three.
Dimp Pernell would add a three-ball of his own along with
DJ Hall,
Kole Grandison,
Kaden Gumbs all connecting from deep, as Texas State took a 30-28 advantage into the break.
The Bobcats went on a 12-1 run out of the locker room fueled by four-straight makes from beyond the arc, as Djobet and
Dimp Pernell each drilled a pair.
Pernell set career-highs in points (26) field goals made (9) and three pointers made (4), converting 9-of-12 from the field. The Bobcats as a team connected for 11 three's, three from Djobet who posted 15 points with six boards and two from
DJ Hall who grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
Robert Fields matched Hall in the rebound category and added 11 points, three steals and three assists to his credit.
UTRGV fought to within five points inside 30 seconds remaining, forced to foul Djobet who knocked down his two free throws to contribute to the Bobcats' perfect night at the line, 13-for-13.
The Bobcats shot 49 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from three, and assisted on 16 of their 24 baskets while outrebounding the Vaqueros 31-25.
The victory brings Texas State's advantage to three consecutive wins over UTRGV as the Bobcats continue to cut down the Vaqueros all-time series lead, now making it 22-18. The two squads will meet again this season as the Dec. 8 meeting in San Marcos will conclude the home-and-home season series.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats return home to take on former Sun Belt Conference foe Southern Miss on Friday night, Nov. 13. Tipoff from Strahan Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on the Pac-12 YouTube channel.
Stay up to date on everything Texas State men's basketball by following the team on
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram.
