Game #141 of 364 38% complete

This is the first game of a planned three game but eventual four game trip to Texas. More about that change in the next blog!

I was staying near the San Antonio airport enjoying the 75 degree weather after leaving the cold winds of Connecticut. As I drove the interstates overlooking golf courses, the sight of golfers on the still brown fairway grasses stirred up my longing for the golf courses back home.

The amount of roadway constructions in this area was impressive. Pictured below are these newly constructed pylons going for miles after miles in anticipation of an upper highway straddling the present interstate.

The visitor James Madison Dukes occupied first place in the Sun Belt League with Texas State stuck somewhere in the middle of the standings. The Dukes ran out to a 41-33 halftime lead but could not hold Texas State back in the second half. This game has the distinction of being the first double overtime game in Operation 351 history with the Bobcats of Texas State pulling away with the upset win. The Bobcats had been in four overtime games prior to this one, so they were used to the pressure.

Tylan Pope led the Bobcats with a game-high 23 points, eclipsing the 1,000-career point and 500-season point threshold in the contest. Pope went 7-of-10 shooting, and 9-of-12 from the line, with 11 points coming in overtime.

Texas State actually have won a national championship. Known then as Southwest Texas State, the Bobcats won the 1964 NAIA Division 1 championship defeating Westminster 66-64.

A family of James Madison fans were sitting a couple of rows behind me. A boisterous young man in the family was cheering for his beloved Dukes the whole game. He made hilarious sounds anytime a Texas State player was shooting a foul shot. At the end of the first OT, the family left the game. Perhaps they had a plane to catch. The boy was so angry that he tossed a t-shirt he had caught earlier in the game down a few rows in front of me. No one made a move for the cheap shirt but I held my ground not looking like a jerk for quickly seizing this invaluable item. Eventually, I got the courage up to sneak down a couple of rows to snatch my prize. I always stand up with my arms outstretched anytime the cheerleaders toss a shirt into the stands. I never have caught one so this was secondary satisfaction to say the least.

A trip to San Antonio must include a trip to the Alamo. If you have never been there before, it is smaller than you think and stuck in a busy section of downtown. I have to remember to watch the Alamo movie with John Wayne when I get home. Interesting to note that Phil Collins famous of the musical group Genesis was a big collector of Alamo memorabilia and has donated his collection to the museum here.

One game down, three more to go!