Texas State Outlasts Lamar and Advances in the CIT

By Kyle Spencer
Sports Director

The Bobcats are headed to the second round of the College Insider Tournament after a 70-60 win over Lamar at Strahan Coliseum.

Nerves seemed to play a factor in the early minutes of this matchup. Both teams tried to feel each other out leading to a tie at eight with about 13 minutes left in the first half. From there Texas State found their groove. Led by Kavin-Gilder Tilbury and Nedeljko Prijovic the Bobcats fought for a 10 point lead with one minute left in the half.

Texas State had to do most of the work without senior guard, Ojai Black, on the floor due to foul trouble. Freshman Marlin Davis had to play an extended 10 minutes in the first half. He recorded four points on 2-3 shooting while only committing one turnover. KGT ended the first 20 minutes with a near double-double and Prijovic was perfect from the field earning 11 points. Texas State led 35-23 at the half.

Texas State was led in the second half by the freshman phenom Nijal Pearson. After being held scoreless in the first half, Pearson netted a career-high five threes’ on eight attempts. The freshman would end the night with 18 points. Prijovic and KGT both ended in double figures with Tilbury racking up 14 points and 13 boards while the Serbian dropped 13 points of his own.

Lamar was able to cut the deficit to six with about 10 minutes left, but three straight Pearson threes’ quickly set the lead back to 15. The Cardinals would never get the lead back under double digits. The offense for the Bobcats was efficient from the field shooting 23-47 and hit seven of their 19 3-point attempts.

Texas State is now 21-13 on the season and 12-4 in Strahan Coliseum.

The Bobcats next opponent has not been decided yet. Check the KTSW Sports twitter account, @KTSWSports, for broadcast information.

Featured image by Lucero Trevino.