SAN MARCOS, Texas — Tylan Pope delivered an impressive performance with 28 points during Texas State’s thrilling 85-82 overtime victory against Southern Miss on Saturday night.

Pope not only showcased his scoring ability but also contributed significantly on the boards with 12 rebounds and provided strong defensive presence with five blocks for the Bobcats (11-8, 4-3 in the Sun Belt Conference). Coleton Benson was another key player for Texas State, finishing with 23 points after making 7 of 17 attempts from the floor, including an impressive 5 for 10 from beyond the arc, along with a solid 4 for 5 from the free-throw line. Austin Green added depth to the team’s offense, concluding the game with 10 points after hitting 4 of 7 shots and converting 2 of 4 free-throw attempts.

On the other side, the Golden Eagles (8-11, 3-4) had standout performances, particularly from Denijay Harris, who notched a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, complemented by three blocks. Neftali Alvarez also made his mark with 17 points, four assists, and two steals, while Cobie Montgomery contributed with 16 points to support the team’s efforts.

The game came down to a crucial moment in regulation when Texas State’s Dylan Dawson made a vital block with only three seconds remaining, which enabled the Bobcats to tie the score at 77 and force overtime. In the overtime period, Benson sealed the game for Texas State with a pivotal three-pointer with just 1:27 remaining on the clock, securing their hard-fought win.