Texas State never trails, beats South Alabama 78-67

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) Emani Gant scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as Texas State led from start to finish and defeated South Alabama 78-67 on Thursday night.

Gant and Kavin Gilder-Tilbury scored five points each as Texas State (8-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) opened the game on a 14-1 clip.

South Alabama (6-10, 1-4) closed the gap to 35-32 at halftime and came as close as three points twice in the second half.

Texas State put the game away with a 16-4 run midway through the second half as Gilder-Tilbury, K.J. Malveau and Ethan Montalvo dropped consecutive 3-pointers. Montalvo, who had a second trey in the run, finished with 18 points and four 3-pointers.

The Bobcats outrebounded South Alabama 37-28 and had 15 assists on 28 field goals.

Ken Williams led South Alabama with 13 points, Nick Stover added 11 and Georgi Boyanov 10.