The Texas State Bobcats (5-2) defeated the Little Rock Trojans (2-4) 65-56 on Friday night to secure their fourth straight victory and remain unbeaten at Strahan Arena this season.
“We knew that this was going to be a tough game,” said head coach Terrence Johnson. “If you can remember in the last, I don’t know, ten years or so that we’ve been battling against this team, no wins have come easy.”
The Bobcats jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed in the first half, despite struggling with turnovers again. Four of the five players in the starting lineup for the Trojans were 6’7” or taller, and their length, combined with their ball pressure and trapping the ball, was problematic for the Bobcats, especially in the first half.
“When you’re dealing with a group like that, that talented and that kind of front line, you’re going to struggle with some things,” Johnson said.
The Bobcats had 11 turnovers in the first half, but were able to adjust and be more careful with the ball in the second half.
Sophomore guard Franck Emmou was the beneficiary of those halftime adjustments, scoring a season high 13 points, including two threes late in the game to seal the deal for the Bobcats.
“My three-pointer was working tonight,” Emmou said. “Mark Drone and Dimp Pernell did a really good job of touching paint, and they just came to me with their flow, and I was just ready to knock them down.”
Drone touching the paint has been a common theme for the Bobcats so far this season. He helped lead the offense again with 13 points and two assists, largely due to his ability to break the defense down off the dribble.
Freshman forward DJ Hall also continues to impress, scoring 12 points in just 23 minutes despite picking up his third foul less than two minutes into the second half.
“[Hall] is a talented young man,” Johnson said. “He can find his spots when he’s not overthinking, and he’s skilled around the basket. It’s a long journey, but he is definitely getting better every game; he’s a talent. I’m glad he’s a Bobcat.”
Senior guard Kyndall Davis did a little bit of everything for the Bobcats, tallying five points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and helped set the tone for a Bobcats defense that has held its last two opponents under 60 points.
Davis, a graduate transfer, is emerging as one of the vocal leaders of the team who doesn’t hesitate to display his emotion and passion when he’s on the floor.
“That’s just how I was taught to play all my life, just playing hard and giving your max energy and effort when you’re on the court,” Davis said.
Coach Johnson used a deep rotation again, playing 12 different players who all helped the Bobcats pull away from the Trojans in the second half.
“You have to stay to the end whenever Texas State plays Little Rock, you know, given our history,” said coach Johnson after beating the Trojans for the 12th time in their last 14 meetings. “They came back and got into the game, we didn’t panic, you know, we executed down the stretch.”
The Bobcats have four non-conference games remaining, the next of which is set for 6:00 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24, against the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs at Strahan Arena.
