SAN MARCOS, Texas — In an exhilarating regular season finale, Texas State’s Tylan Pope scored 23 points, with a crucial six points during the second overtime, leading his team to a 102-93 victory over James Madison in double overtime on Friday. This win halted the Dukes’ opportunity to clinch the Sun Belt Conference title outright, leaving them tied with Arkansas State, South Alabama, and Troy for the championship.
Pope’s impressive performance didn’t stop there, as he also pulled down six rebounds, contributing significantly to the Bobcats’ efforts (16-15, 9-9 Sun Belt Conference). Coleton Benson supported the scoreline by shooting effectively, hitting 7 of 11 from the field, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line, securing 21 points. Teammate Tyler Morgan excelled from the field, shooting 8 of 9, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, and adding one free throw for a total of 19 points.
On the other side, the Dukes (20-11, 13-5) were driven by Elijah Hutchins-Everett, who managed 22 points, collected 12 rebounds, and registered two blocks. Bryce Lindsay contributed 19 points, while Mark Freeman’s efforts included 19 points, four assists, and two steals. This defeat snapped a five-game winning streak for the Dukes, adding an unexpected twist to their season’s end.
