MONROE, La. – Texas State turned in its second consecutive weekend sweep as they outlasted ULM 69-63 Saturday afternoon at the Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Senior forward Isiah Small led the team with 20 points and eight rebounds.
After dominating the series opener on the defensive end of the court, the Bobcats (11-4, 5-1 Sun Belt) pick up their fifth consecutive win behind solid offensive play as they shot 53.8 percent from the floor (28-of-52) and 60.0 percent from 3-point range (9-of-15). The Warhawks (4-11, 2-6 Sun Belt) concluded the game with a .431 clip from the field and was 35.7 percent from 3-point range although making 10 3-point field goals.
“Today was a gutsy win,” said interim head coach Terrence Johnson. “We knew ULM would be a different team today. They are too well-coached and too talented. They made adjustments and took advantage of some situations early on. But our guys stayed locked in and answered with key buckets at crucial times. Isiah Small had the performance of a lifetime. He was outstanding and his impact was the determining factor in tonight’s game. This was a tough road trip, and this team is continuing to improve and find ways to win. I am proud of these guys and I am looking forward to getting back to Strahan.”
Small was nearly perfect on the day, shooting 8-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-4 from behind-the-arc, setting a new career-high. Small also added four assists. Junior guard Mason Harrell followed with 11 points (4-of-8) and contributed four assists, four rebounds, and one steal to complete the Bobcats’ double-figure scorers.
Junior guard Russell Harrison finished with a game-high 21 points and made five of the Warhawks’ 10 3-pointers. He also had six rebounds, four assists, and one block. Junior guard Marco Morency chipped in 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting (3-of-3 from 3-point range) and paced the team with seven rebounds and four assists.
FIRST HALF
The Bobcats started fast and shot 50.0 percent from both the field and 3-point range to build a double-digit 24-14 lead with 7:35 on the clock. Although ULM hit back-to-back triples to spark an 8-2 run, the Bobcats continued to answer and Small’s second triple of the half put the Bobcats back up by 10, 34-24 with 4:12 left to play. The Warhawks made one more push where this time, an 8-0 run made the count 34-32, but the Bobcats continued to respond and senior guard Quentin Scott knocked down a 3-pointer to conclude the half, putting TXST ahead 41-36 at the half. Scott led the with nine points, while Harrison led ULM with 11 points, including shooting 3-of-6 from behind-the-arc. Both teams combined for 12 made 3-pointers in the half on 28 attempts (TXST, 7-of-13).
SECOND HALF
Offensively, Texas State came out hot and shot 63.6 percent from the floor (7-of-11), including 2-of-2 from deep to hold on to its 57-48 lead with 11:44 on the clock. The Warhawk’s defense held the Bobcats scoreless for the next six minutes out of the media timeout and put together a 7-2 run to trim the lead to 59-53. But both teams exchanged points for the remainder of the game and split the last 20 points evenly leading to the 69-63 win for TXST.
NOTABLES
• With today’s shooting percentage, Texas State has seven total games (six vs. DI opponents) where they have shot over 50.0 percent.
• The Bobcats match a season-high of 60.0 percent 3-point field goal percentage for the third time this season, and nine made 3-pointers for the second time this year.
• TXST recorded 20 assists on 28 field goals. It is the third game of the season the Bobcats have logged 20 or more assists.
• The Bobcats are now 7-3 on the road this season, including all six (5-1) of their Sun Belt Conference games.
• Isiah Small registered his second game this season (4th career-game with TXST) scoring 20 or more points. The first was a career-high 24 points at Louisiana (Jan. 1).
• This season, Small has averaged 19.3 points per game when playing in Louisiana.
• Mason Harrell turned in his 30th career-game with 10 or more points (14 total this season).
• Junior guard Caleb Asberry and junior forward Alonzo Sule finished with eight points each. Asberry led the team with five assists and added four rebounds and one steal. Sule added three rebounds and three assists.
UP NEXT
Texas State returns to its home floor when they will face Louisiana on Jan. 29-30 at Strahan Arena in San Marcos, Texas.
