Bobcats Get a Huge Upset Win over University of Louisiana Lafayette

By Adam Byerly
Sports Reporter

Texas State Men’s Basketball team got their first ever win over Louisiana Lafayette on Saturday with a 61-57 win at Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats started off hot with a 16 point run to lead the Cajuns 22-6 in the first half. Louisiana Lafayette would chip at the lead throughout the game, thanks to some work on the boards, and forced the Bobcats to 12 turnovers. The Cajuns would come within two points twice in the game but could never take the lead. Overall, the Bobcats were too much for the Ragin’ Cajuns led by Emani Gant with 19 points and Ojai Black with 14 points.

Texas State is now 11-13 in the season and 5-10 in Sun Belt Conference play while UL Lafayette fell to 14-11 on the season and 10-6 and conference play.

A big reason for the Bobcat win was the success in slowing down senior-star Shawn Long. Shawn Long, who came into the game averaging almost 20 points per contest and shooting a field goal percentage above 52 percent, was held to nine points on 2-9 shooting against the stout Bobcat defense.

This upset win didn’t surprise Coach Kasper. Kasper said after the game that, “our guys were ready to play today, I felt it in the locker room before the game.”

The Bobcats will have to keep up more of what they did on Saturday in their remaining schedule if they want to make the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

With this win, Texas State adds life to their post-season hopes. The Bobcats currently sit in ninth in the Sun-Belt, one spot away from Conference tournament play, and are one game behind Georgia State, South Alabama and Arkansas State, all 7-9, in the loss column.

The Bobcats next game is away at Arkansas State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and it will be pivotal for the Bobcats if they wish to play in the Conference Tournament.

Featured image by Madison Tyson.