MOBILE, Ala. | South Alabama men's basketball battled back from a 15-point halftime deficit but was unable to close out the victory against Texas State, falling 64-58 Saturday afternoon at the Mitchell Center.
 
The Jaguars fell to 7-9 (1-3 SBC), and the Bobcats now sit at 9-8 (2-2).
 
Kevin Samuel led the charge for South Alabama with 16 points and 13 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season and 40^th of his career. Tyrell Jones and Isaiah Moore each added 10 points.
 
Nate Martin led the Bobcats with 13 points, and Mason Harrell added 12 points and five rebounds.
 
GAME FACTS (HOW IT HAPPENED)

• Each team got off to a slow start, with the Bobcats leading 6-2 at the under-16:00 timeout.
• Texas State continued to build their lead with a balanced scoring attack, 21-12, with 7:52 to go.
• The Bobcats continued on an 11-5 run in the final 5:30 of the first half.
• A 3-pointer by Tyrell Jones with 35 seconds to go cut the lead to 12.
• Texas State's Drue Drinnon made a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Bobcats a 15-point lead at the half, 36-21.
• The Jags made three of their first six shots in the second half, but the Bobcats maintained their lead, 41-27, with 15:10 to go in the second half.
• A 3-pointer from Tyler Shirley cut the lead to 10, 41-31, with 14:30 to go.
• Samuel secured his 10^th rebound, and the double-double, at the 8:25 mark.
• A 3-pointer from Jamar Franklin off a Moore assist cut the lead to five, 57-52, with 4:35 to go.
• Jones' layup with 1:16 to go made it a one-point game, 57-56.
• Texas State made 5-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds to help secure the victory.

 
NOTES

• Samuel recorded his fifth double-double of the season and 40^th of his career.
• Moore continued his streak of scoring double-digit points in every game he has played this season.
• Moore recorded five assists, his eighth game this season with 5+.
• The Jags are now 4-2 when a player records a double-double.
• South is 4-9 when the opponent scores 60 or more points.
• Franklin (eight points) scored the most since he had 14 against Spring Hill earlier this season.

 
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Richie Riley
"What's been a recipe for us this year when we haven't played well is we come out flat and uninspired. We didn't play nearly hard enough, nearly competitive enough, and it's hard to win like that. We dug a 15-point hole, and when you do that, it's really disappointing. Again, it falls on me, it's my team, I coach them every day. We have a bad habit of coming out and, for no rhyme or reason, being incredibly flat…Ultimately, it's on me to figure it out. We play every Thursday and Saturday. None of the teams we play are bad teams. I've got to get our guys playing at a level where we have a chance at winning these games."

UP NEXT
South Alabama continues their homestand on Thursday, when they host Sun Belt newcomer James Madison. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. in the Mitchell Center.
 
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