Texas State opened up the 2024-2025 season with a thumping of the Eastern Michigan Eagles, winning 64-44.
The Bobcats and Head Coach Terrence Johnson win their first season opener since the 2021-2022 behind 15 points from sophomore Kaden Gumbs and 12 points from senior Tylin Pope.
“We played pretty hard tonight,” Johnson said. “These guys did a really good job of establishing themselves on the defensive end. We tried to share the ball and for the most part we did the things we have been working on.
“That’s a team that will be pretty good down the stretch. Having to travel across the country will take a toll on you but I have to give my guys credit because they set the tone on the defensive end early.”
The Bobcats never trailed during the game as Texas State jumped out to a 7-2 lead. Following a layup by the Eagles, Texas State responded with a 9-0 run, capped off by a two-point jumper from Gumbs, to extend their lead to 16-4.
Eastern Michigan began to cut into Texas State’s lead and with less than five minutes remaining, the Eagles made it a four-point game at 25-21 following a successful four-point play.
Texas State responded by closing out the first half on a 10-1 run and took the lead into halftime up 35-22.
The Bobcats opened up the second half on a 17-2 run to stretch their lead to 52-24. Eastern Michigan’s offense found the rhythm later in the second half but failed to cut into the deficit as Texas State rolled to a 64-44 win.
Going into the season, Johnson emphasized the need for the Bobcats to be better on the defensive end of the court.
Against Eastern Michigan, the Bobcats forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 14 points.
“Early on we wanted to focus on defending,” Johnson said. “We needed to get back to defending better. We are also trying to play a little bit faster, play out of opportunity a little bitand get more buckets at the rim.
“We left some food on the table tonight and some bunnies we wished we had back but I thought defensively we got out hands on the basketball and got some deflections then got out into the open court. I thought that helped with our momentum.”
The season opener also saw the return of Tyrell Morgan and Dru Drinnon to the lineup after missing last season due to injuries.
Morgan scored 11 points in the first game back in nearly a year while Drinnon scored six points.
“I thought it was a blessing,” Johnson said. “There are times you never get a second chance in life. This is their second chance for them to end how they want it to end. It’s a young man’s game and they are still young men. They are enjoying it and having fun.”
Leading the team with 15 points along with four assists, Gumbs was in full control of leading the offense despite being a sophomore in a roster filled with upperclassmen.
“He’s pretty good,” Johnson said. “There are no jobs that are given over here and he won the job. I trust him and believe in him. He is unselfish and does whatever I ask of him. I’m blessed to be able to coach this young man.”
On his performance, Gumbs thanked both his coaches and teammates for the success.
“It means a lot that my team and coaches trust me to get everyone in the right spots and positions to score,” Gumbs said. “This was all about the team. I can have the most points but my team helped me out the most.”
Texas State returns to play this Friday at home against the McMurry Warhawks.
