Texas State pulled off a significant upset at Strahan Arena at the University Events Center, taking down Southern Mississippi 74-67. The Bobcats, ranked 286 in the net rankings, handed the Golden Eagles, ranked 245, a surprising loss. This victory is a major boost for Texas State, especially considering it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams.
The first half was closely contested, with Southern Miss holding a slim 28-27 lead at halftime. However, Texas State came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Golden Eagles 47-39. Kaden Gumbs was instrumental in the Bobcats' win, scoring 18 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. His performance was complemented by DJ Hall's 17 points and 6 rebounds, as well as Franck Emmou's 13 points.
On the other side, Tylik Weeks was unstoppable for Southern Miss, scoring 24 points in a valiant effort. Dylan Brumfield added 16 points and 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bobcats' balanced attack. Despite Weeks' impressive performance, the Golden Eagles struggled to contain Texas State's offense, particularly in the second half.
The win is a significant resume-builder for Texas State, as it marks a rare victory over a team ranked higher in the net rankings. Although it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the Bobcats' ability to take down a fellow mid-major program will undoubtedly boost their confidence. For Southern Miss, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one, given the relatively low stakes of a Quadrant 4 matchup.
It's worth noting that there was no pre-game prediction available for this matchup, making the outcome even more surprising. Texas State's victory will likely go under the radar, but it's a crucial win for a team looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
The implications of this result are clear: Texas State has taken a small step forward in its pursuit of a strong resume, while Southern Miss has taken a minor step back. While neither team is likely to make a deep postseason run, the Bobcats' upset victory will give them a much-needed boost in confidence. As the season enters its final weeks, Texas State want to build on this momentum, while Southern Miss will aim to bounce back from the surprising loss. For now, the Bobcats can savor a hard-fought victory over a tough opponent, one that will undoubtedly look good on their resume come tournament time.