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Basketball on the Rebound
Feb. 27, 2008
SAN MARCOS - The Texas State Bobcats will host SLC-West division frontrunner Stephen F. Austin State tonight at Strahan Coliseum. The team is coming off a torrent loss to Texas-San Antonio, but will fight for a strong finish to earn a berth in Southland post-season play, vying a victory over the Lumberjacks. Tip is slated for 7 p.m. and can be followed on 89.9 FM KTSW or through www.txstatebobcats.com. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early. Parking may be limited due to a speaking engagement by Barack Obama that will be held at Sewell Park following the game. The City of San Marcos will close University Drive at 7 p.m. at several intersections. Bus transportation will remain open and will travel from the commuter lot to Bobcat Stadium. Texas State is 12-14 overall and sits at 5-8 in SLC play. The Lumberjacks boast a 22-3 overall record, going 10-2 in league play, earning the top spot. In the `Cats previous outing a 103-96 dropped home decision, Texas State faired better across the board. The team shot 50.9 percent to UTSA's 48.5 effort and at the stripe, shot 82.4 - 72.3. The Roadrunners capitalized on 30 points from Texas State turnovers and put up a 51-26 margin for points in the paint that hurt Texas State in the end. Brent Holder and Brandon Bush led the team with 18 points, while Brent Benson and Ryan White finished with 16 and 12 points respectively. Ty Gough tied a game-high 12 rebounds in the decision. Bush and Benson lead the team offensively, with 14.5 and 13 points respectively. Brandon Thomas counters defensively, taking the sixth overall spot in Southland action, recording nearly two steals a game for the best mark on the team.
The `Cats look to couple these two components, as the team currently lead the Southland Conference in scoring offense, 83.9, but put a 1.4 scoring margin between its opponents, allowing 85.3 points on average. Stephen F. Austin is coming off a 79-57 win over rival Sam Houston State. The `Jacks took a 33-26 lead at half-time and held the foe to just a 33 percent shooting effort in the final regulation period for the victory. Matt Kingsley posted a game-high 18 point performance and grabbed seven rebounds. Texas State falls behind in the all-time series, 93-66 with SFA winning the past eight meetings. The last tilt came in January, as the `Cats traveled to Johnson Coliseum. The `Jacks were able to hold Texas State to just 63 points, their lowest mark of the season. Ryan White led the team with 13 points on the night, the lone Bobcat to tally a double-digit scoring total. |
