Georgia State holds on to beat Texas State, 73-69

The Georgia State Crimson Panthers hit eight 3-point shots in the second half Saturday and held on for a 73-69 victory over the Texas State Bobcats.

Playing at home in San Marcos, the Bobcats jumped out to an eight-point lead in the first half and had the game tied with 12:49 remaining.

But a that point, in a battle of Sun Belt Conference contenders, the Panthers went on a 17-5 streak to gain the upper hand.

Nijal Pearson led Texas State with 26 points on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. The Bobcats beat UTSA 69-68 at the UTSA Convocation Center. - photo by Joe Alexander

Nijal Pearson scored seven points during a first-half burst by the Bobcats but was held to 10 on the day. – photo by Joe Alexander, Dec. 1, at UTSA.

Forward Malik Benlevi capped the run with two 3-point baskets for a 58-46 Georgia State lead.

At the end, the Bobcats made it interesting, pulling to within three.

But D’Marcus Simonds hit a free throw with four seconds left for the final point.

Early in the first half, the Bobcats constructed a 17-6 run that included seven points by Nijal Pearson.

Chandler Davis capped the streak with an offensive rebound and a put back attempt and two free throws, lifting the Bobcats into a 21-13 lead.

Not to be outdone, the Panthers answered with a 13-3 spree to the halftime buzzer.

A layup by Simonds with two seconds left boosted Georgia State into a 26-24 intermission lead.

Georgia State turned the game in its favor with second-half three-point shooting.

After hitting only 1 of 10 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Panthers made 8 of 15 after intermission.

Records

Georgia State 11-4, 2-0
Texas State 12-3, 1-1

Individuals

Georgia State — Malik Benlevi 19 points, 4 three-pointers, 7 rebounds. Kane Williams, 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. Devin Mitchell, 16 points, 4 three-pointers.

Texas State — Tre Nottingham 17 points, 3 three-pointers. Jaylen Shead, 13 points, 7 rebounds. Nijal Pearson, 10 points. Eric Terry, 10 points.

Texas State extends winning streak to six games

Nijal Pearson scored 17 points and Tre Nottingham had 16 Thursday night as the Texas State Bobcats held off the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 55-52, for their sixth straight victory.

Texas State (13-7, 6-1 Sun Belt Conference) had a 14-point lead in the second half, struggled through a scoring drought and then held on at the end to secure the win.

The Bobcats host the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (16-3, 6-0) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. for the conference lead.

The Cajuns rallied for a 77-65 win in Arlington against the UT Arlington Mavericks. It was the sixth straight win for Louisiana, winners of 13 out of 14 overall.