Bobcats Use 2nd Half Run To Hand Tigers Home Loss Sunday Afternoon

A pair of double-digit second half runs by Texas State was the difference as TSU fell 72-59 on Sunday evening inside the H&PE Arena.
 
The first half was tight as there were a total of five ties. With TSU trailing 17-16 with 9:08 left, the Tigers turned to their defense to spark a 10-2 run as they forced four Bobcat turnovers while five Tigers would score to lead 26-19 with 4:18 remaining. Texas State managed to sieze momentum as the half would end after posting a 9-2 run while TSU missed six of its final seven shots as both teams entered the half tied at 28-all.
 
Kenny Hunter scored four points to open the second half as the TSU defense held Texas State to 1-of-5 shooting as the Tigers claimed a 33-30 lead two minutes in. However, Texas State began to heat up as they went on a 17-4 surge fueled by 70 percent shooting (7-of-10) while TSU turned the ball over four times en route to trailing 47-37.
 
Kavion McClain put the Tigers on his back as he scored eight consecutive points over the next 2:24 to cut the margin to 49-45 with 9:29 left. McClain's spurt was the closest TSU would get from that point as the Bobcats attacked the basket over the next 4:45 and went on a 14-1 run for a 63-46 lead to lead by 17 and take full control of the contest. TSU would regroup after the big run and nearly matching the Bobcats' production over the final 3:21 but the damage from the final run was too much to overcome.
 
McCain led TSU with 12 points and four rebounds while Hunter and Zaire Hayes both added 10 points. Hunter and Kolby Granger tied for the rebound lead with six each.
 
TSU is back in action Saturday, Dec. 7 at Sam Houston State for a 4:30 p.m. tip.