App State men’s basketball fell short against Texas State University in their regular season finale 60-57 Friday night.
Graduate student guard Jalen Tot was the first Mountaineer to score as he went 1-3 from the stripe after a foul was called on his attempted 3-pointer.
Just two minutes into the game, Tot followed suit with an explosive 3-pointer and was fouled on the way up, sending him to the line once again.
The fire started early as redshirt sophomore center Luke Wilson had a double-handed dunk putting App State up 9-2 three minutes into the game. The Bobcats immediately called a timeout.
A steal and a quick run across the floor put the ball in the hands of sophomore forward Michael Marcus Jr., giving him a slam dunk.
Tot continued the fire as he accumulated 7 points minutes into the game.
Graduate student guard Kasen Jennings started to show aggression when he got an and-1 putting the Black and Gold up 23-17. Jennings was double teamed by the Bobcats, as his offensive ability was unmatched for the Texas State guards.
The Bobcats showed some teeth as they quickly caught up to App State 23-21 with over five minutes left in the half.
A new basketball game emerged out of powerful offense on both sides of the court. The Bobcats tied the game at 23 with under five minutes to go.
Wilson buried 2 crucial free throws to put App State barely ahead at 29-25 with under three minutes to go.
Another tie game continued as the score sat at 31-31 with 54 seconds remaining. Wilson was fouled milliseconds before the buzzer struck zero to end the half. App State was down by 1, 33-34.
Marcus and Wilson both had 2 fouls, while Jennings led the pack with 9 points and shot 33% from beyond the arc. App State needed to prioritize ball control inside the paint as they shot 34% from the field.
Coming out of halftime, Wilson had a couple of strong offensive rebounds but couldn’t connect.
Head coach Dustin Kerns had already used his two challenges, within only three minutes into the second half.
Although both challenges were overturned in the Mountaineers favor, there was still 17 minutes left of play.
In over five minutes, App State only scored 6 points. The Bobcats gained their largest lead of the game 43-39 with 13 minutes to go.
Senior guard Alonzo Dodd put up a corner 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 42-45. An offensive goal tending violation was called on the Bobcats giving the Mountaineers an earned timeout.
App State inched ahead of Texas State with a one possession 52-49 lead from the help of a dunk from Marcus.
The Bobcats gained more control of the game in the final two minutes of play as the Mountaineers were down 55-56.
With just 63 seconds to go, Texas State called a timeout with a one possession lead 58-55.
Dodd swiftly knocked in a layup, putting 15 seconds on the shot clock.
App State fell short 60-57 in their last game of the season. Wilson had his eleventh double double of the season with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Dodd and Tot combined for 30 points.
App State looks to reclaim some victory in the Sun Belt Tournament beginning March 7 in Pensacola, Florida.
