SAN MARCOS, Texas (Interstat) — Mark Drone scored 23 points and Kaden Gumbs added 15, including two critical free throws in the final minute, to lift Texas State to an 86-83 victory over Southern in a nonconference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Strahan Coliseum.

In a contest defined by runs and relentless back-and-forth action, the Bobcats (7-5) used a decisive 10-2 surge late in the second half to create separation and then held off a frantic final push from the Jaguars (4-6).

The game was a statistical oddity, with both teams finishing with identical totals in assists (13), steals (13) and blocks (4). The difference ultimately came at the free-throw line, where Texas State converted 23 of 31 attempts compared to Southern’s 13-of-19 performance, and from beyond the arc, where the Bobcats hit 7 of 17 to the Jaguars’ 10 of 26.

After a first half that ended in a 38-38 deadlock, the second half saw neither team lead by more than six points until the final minutes. Southern’s Fazl Oshodi, who finished with 22 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:58 remaining to cut Texas State’s lead to 79-78, capping a Jaguar response to what had been the game’s pivotal sequence.

The most important stretch of the game began with just under four minutes to play and Texas State clinging to a 70-69 lead. Southern’s Malek Abdelgowad, who dominated inside for 21 points, committed a turnover that led to a fast break. Kyndall Davis finished the play with a layup, was fouled, and completed the three-point play after a technical foul was assessed during the ensuing stoppage. The Bobcats retained possession, and Drone found Kaden Gumbs for another layup, completing a rapid 5-0 spurt that pushed the lead to 76-69 with 3:19 left.

Southern refused to fold. After a timeout, AJ Barnes scored inside for the Jaguars. Following a Texas State turnover, Oshodi’s triple brought Southern back within two. But Gumbs, a San Marcos native, was fouled on the next two Bobcat possessions and calmly sank all four free throws to extend the lead to 83-78 with 29 seconds left.

Cam Amboree, who led Southern with 16 points, answered with a deep 3-pointer to make it 83-81 with 22 seconds remaining. Texas State’s Davis then delivered the final dagger, hitting a corner 3-pointer off an assist from Jalen Bolden to put the Bobcats up 86-81 with 18 seconds left. Barnes scored on a putback and drew a foul with 4.3 seconds left, making the free throw to cut the deficit to three, but Southern could not get a final shot off after Texas State missed two free throws on the other end.

Drone’s 23 points came with five assists, while Gumbs added four assists to his 15 points. Davis finished with 14 points for Texas State. For Southern, Abdelgowad’s efficient 21 points came on 8-of-12 shooting, and Barnes contributed 14 points off the bench.

The Bobcats improved to 7-5 overall, while Southern fell to 4-6. Texas State will open Sun Belt Conference play at home against Arkansas State next Wednesday. Southern continues its road swing at California Baptist on Tuesday.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 1,428.