Tony Bishop had 14 points and 12 rebounds to help lead Texas State to a thrilling 82-80 win over rival UTSA on Saturday. Bishop was named the Southland Conference player of the week and the Bobcats remain in first place in the SLC’s Western Division. (Photo courtesy of Texas State University)
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Ryan White proved that it was definitely Senior Day at Texas State University Saturday as the guard scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Bobcats to an 82-80 nail-biting win against UTSA at Strahan Coliseum.
In the I-35 Rivalry matchup, it was the Bobcats which came away with their eighth consecutive home victory this season to move to 15-13, 10-4 in conference play. Texas State also maintained its lead in the SLC Western Division with two regular season games to go.
In a game that literally went down to the final seconds, UTSA took a 68-67 lead with 5:27 to go after a pair of made free throws by Larry Wilkins. The Roadrunners held on to the lead and were able to stretch it to a two-possession game, before Cameron Johnson hit two clutch free throws for the Bobcats with 1:57 left in the game to give Texas State the lead.
The two teams would go back and fourth from there. After Wilkins’ two free throws gave UTSA the advantage, the Bobcats grabbed it right back when Johnson scored to make it 78-77.
UTSA wasn’t finished, however, as Devin Gibson drove the lane and scored with 38 seconds left to give the Roadrunners a 79-78 lead.
White then nailed what had a chance to be the game-winning free throws for the Bobcats after he was fouled by Gibson, but Texas State’s Tony Bishop was called for a technical foul with six seconds left.
That sent Melvin Johnson to the line for UTSA with a chance to give the Roadrunners the lead back, but he could only convert one of two free throws, leaving the score tied at 80.
Capping off what turned out to be a foul-fest late, White drove down the court and straight to the bucket. He was fouled with less than a second left on the clock.
White calmly sank both free throws to give the Bobcats the victory, sending the home crowd into a frenzy in the process.
Things got chippy near the end of the first half as well, as both teams received a pair of technical fouls. Johnson nailed two free throws to score the last points of the half as UTSA took a 38-33 lead into the locker room.
Along with White’s 25 points, Bishop, who was named SLC player of the week, tallied his ninth double-double for Texas State this season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Cameron Johnson and Travis Jones each netted 12 points apiece for the Bobcats.
Johnson led UTSA with 21 points. Devin Gibson had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. Jeromie Hill added 16 points and eight rebounds and Larry Wilkins had 14 points for the Roadrunners.
Texas State will travel to Huntsville to take on Sam Houston State Saturday in the final regular game of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Southland Conference Tournament in Katy begins next Wednesday.
