App State Men’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker at Texas State
ASF StaffMar 2, 2026 · 2 min read · 15 views
Image Courtesy Of App State Facebook
Friday night (February 27, 2026) in San Marcos felt like climbing Grandfather Mountain only to slip near the summit, you’re not alone. The App State men’s basketball team battled valiantly for a share of the Sun Belt regular-season crown but came up just short in a tense 60-57 loss to Texas State at Strahan Arena. The defeat drops the Mountaineers to 19-12 overall (11-7 Sun Belt), securing them the fourth seed in the upcoming Sun Belt Tournament.
How the Game went
The game was a classic grinder from the start, App State built a slim lead early with sharp perimeter shooting and tough defense, heading into halftime up 33-34 after a back-and-forth first half. The second half stayed nip-and-tuck, with both teams trading buckets and stops. Late drama defined it, App State clawed to within one on a Dodd layup with 26 seconds left, but Texas State’s Mark Drone buried a tough elbow jumper to reclaim the lead. A final desperation three from Eren Banks rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing the deal for the Bobcats.
Drone led all scorers with 23 points for Texas State (19-12, 11-7 Sun Belt), who clinched a key win on their home floor. For the Mountaineers, the effort was there, gritty rebounding, timely buckets but cold stretches late and missed free throws proved costly. Despite the loss, the squad showed the fight that’s defined their season: resilience, heart, and the ability to hang with anyone in crunch time.
Bitter Sweet Game
This wraps the regular season on a bittersweet note, no outright title, but a strong finish that positions App State well for the tournament. The fourth seed means a bye into the second round and a chance to make noise starting March 7. Coach Dustin Kerns’ group has proven they thrive under pressure, and with the postseason ahead, there’s plenty of mountain left to climb.
The Sun Belt Tournament is calling, and these Mountaineers are ready to answer. One game at a time, one more shot at glory and the climb continues
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