Texas State scores 51 points off the bench to beat Central Arkansas

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Conway, Ark. - Brandon Bush came off the bench in a 5-10 effort from the field, sinking 10-12 free throws in a 21-point showcase to lead the Texas State Bobcats in a 78-72 Southland Conference road victory over Central Arkansas Saturday in Conway, Ark.

In a first half that saw six ties and twelve lead changes Texas State was forced to play a slower-paced game than accustomed. Approaching the first media timeout nearly four minutes into the game, the board remained scoreless until Corey Jefferson broke away for the lay up to give Texas State its first two points.

At 9:08 the `Cats took a 19-17 lead over the host school and held on for nearly five minutes of play. On an assist from Landrell Brewer down the left side of an open court York Sims laid in the easy basket to put UCA ahead by one, 28-27. Matt Fullenwider answered by tipping in a rim-rattler for two points and Bush hit his lone three of the night, giving Texas State a 32-30 lead into the half.

The Texas State charity stripe was left vacant throughout the half, an offset from an 8-12 shooting performance from by Central Arkansas.

The second half began much like the first with Jefferson opening the period with an easy lay up, allowing Texas State to forge ahead to ten point lead over UCA. Brandon Thomas tipped in back-to-back helpers for the final touches for a maroon and white command in Farris Center.

The pace shifted to a familiar swift-tempo game for the `Cats, forcing ten second-half turnovers from the top of the key from a rabid defensive press. A steal by Jefferson four minutes into the final half was finished off with a jumper from Thomas to maintain the ten point lead, 47-37.   

It was Jefferson again for three points followed by a free throw brought on by a foul on the next possession to give Texas State an 11-point lead, their largest margin of the game, 51-40.

As ticks fell off the clock in the final minute of play the intensity mounted on the court and in the stands. With a 74-69 deficit lying in the hands of Central Arkansas, Marcus Pillow drained a three-pointer, only the second shot from beyond the arc by UCA all night, to put the Bears in reach of a victory. With 17 seconds on the clock, Bush was fouled and sent to the line to sink consecutive free throws for a 75-72 Texas State advantage. As time fell off the clock the Bears had one last chance, however Pillow's three-point attempt fell short with eight seconds remaining and Central Arkansas was forced to foul. Dylan Moseley sealed the final two free throws to grasp the win.

For the game, the SLC foes were roughly the same across the board with Texas State shooting 41.5 percent from the field to Central Arkansas' even 41. The Bears won the battle of the boards by one, amassing 44 in the contest. Contrastingly, Texas State finished with 51 points off the bench, while UCA managed just five.

Joining Bush off the bench were Moseley and Ryan White for eight and nine points, respectively. Thomas tallied a perfect percentage from the field, going 6-6 for 13 points, his fifth double-figure outing of the season. Jefferson dished out a team-leading five assists and scored 12 points in the victory.

Durrell Nevels scored 20 points for Central Arkansas to lead the team.

The Bobcats return to Strahan Coliseum for a three-game home stand that begins Thursday, Jan. 17. in a 7 p.m. decision with Southeastern Louisiana. Texas State hosts Nicholls State the following Saturday and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Jan. 24.