SAN MARCOS, Texas — Barry Dunning Jr. tied the all-time single-game program record for points and three-pointers, but it was not enough as the South Alabama men's basketball team fell in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Texas State 93-92 Saturday night in San Marcos. The Jags dropped to 19-10 on the season and 11-5 in conference play while Texas State moved to 15-14 on the year and 8-8 in Sun Belt play.
Trailing by two with 20 seconds to play in overtime, Dunning bolted to the basket, drawing a foul and sinking a layup to send him to the free throw line. He gave the Jags a one-point lead, 92-91, after drilling the free throw with five seconds remaining. On the following possession, Texas State went the length of the court and knocked down the game-winning layup with under a second remaining to hand the Jags the loss.
Dunning erupted for 46 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field, 9-of-12 from behind the arc, and a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe while also grabbing four rebounds and recording three assists. His generational performance ties former Jaguar Eugene Oliver's single-game point record set against Southern Miss in 1974. It also matches Freddie Goldstein's three-pointer record set in 2012 at Troy. It is the second most points scored in a game in the NCAA Division l this year and in Sun Belt history.
Elijah Ormiston was the only other Jaguar to finish in double figures, scoring 12 points and snatching four rebounds.
The Jaguars shot a solid percent from the field (50.0) and from three-point range (44.4), but they struggled on the defensive end, giving up a season-high 93 points and 51 bench points in the contest.
South Alabama owned a lead as large as seven points in regulation but couldn't shake off Texas State. A pivotal moment came after Dunning sank three free throws, giving the Jaguars a 77-73 advantage.
However, Texas State made three free throws on the next possession to pull within one. The teams exchanged baskets in the final minutes of regulation, but the Bobcats tied the game with a tip layup with 15 seconds remaining.
In overtime, Texas State took a 90-86 lead with 36 seconds left, thanks to a top-of-the-key three-pointer. Dunning quickly responded with a 3-pointer of his own, cutting the deficit to one with 26 seconds remaining. The Jags fouled immediately to send TXST to the line on the other end of the court, where the Bobcats sank both free throws to extend their lead to 91-89.
Dunning came crashing down the court with just 20 seconds remaining and drove to the basket for a layup while drawing contact to send him to the free-throw line. Dunning converted at the line to put the Jaguars in front 92-91 with five seconds remaining, but it did not last as the Bobcats drove the length of the court for a game-winning layup.
Notes
- Dunning has posted an absurd 80 points, 14 three-pointers, and 15 rebounds in two games against Texas State this season.
- Myles Corey finished just shy of double figures with nine points, but he also dished a game-high six assists.
- The Jags were outrebounded 34-28 in tonight's contest.
- Cantia Rahming led the way for the Jags on the boards, snatching six rebounds.
- South Alabama now sits in a game behind James Madison for first place in the Sun Belt conference.
Up Next
The Jags will head to Southern Miss for their final road game of the regular season on Wednesday, Feb.26 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
