Nelson scores 23 points as Arkansas State defeats Texas State men’s basketball

By: Hope Monte

KTSW Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Arkansas State forward Izaiyah Nelson earned a double-double, recording 23 points along with 11 rebounds to help the Red Wolves defeat the Texas State Bobcats 85-74 on Feb. 1 inside Strahan Arena. 

Though the Bobcats fell short of the Red Wolves, forward Tylan Pope stepped up for the Bobcats, leading the team with 17 points and five rebounds. Pope picked up four personal fouls throughout the game, limiting his playing time.  

 “If we’re going to talk about the points then I think, yeah, there’s some improvement there,” head coach Terrance Johnson said. “But we talk about this game, and we’re talking about impact, I do I still think that [Pope is] capable of making a larger impact away from [scoring] points.” 

 The first half was off to a steady start for the Bobcats. Texas State maintained their lead for the first 13 minutes of the ball game, forcing Arkansas State to commit seven turnovers within 10 minutes. 

 Arkansas State worked consistently to weaken the deficit until guard Terrance Ford completed a layup, resulting in a 31-29 Red Wolves lead with 3:40 remaining in the first half. Due to this flip in momentum, the Bobcats remained trailing Arkansas State for the rest of the ball game. 

 A struggling point for the Bobcats was their ability to secure rebounds throughout the night. Texas State secured 25 boards compared to the Red Wolves’ 37, a major advantage for Arkansas State in the end. 

 “I think we have to do a better job at the point of attack and guarding the ball and staying in front [of our opponents],” Johnson said. “It’s a physicality thing that we have yet to embrace, and it’s a focus thing.” 

 The total fouls nearly doubled for both teams in the second half. 21 foul whistles between the Bobcats and Red Wolves were called in the second half, versus 12 throughout the first half. 

 Arkansas took advantage of extra trips at the free-throw line. The Red Wolves converted 15 out of 20 (75%) free throws while Texas State shot 12 for 15 (80%) at the charity-stripe. 

 The Red Wolves finished the game with higher shooting percentages compared to the Bobcats, who faced woes of many shots rolling off the rim. Arkansas shot 61% from three and 57% from the field while Texas State shot 44% from three and 44% from the field.  

“We have to find that grit, that toughness, that is the separator between playing the game and winning a game,” Johnson said. We don’t play the game with enough toughness and grit to win a game, and we haven’t for a little while now, it’s been missing.” 

 The 85-74 final score leaves Texas State below .500 in Sun Belt Conference games, with a 5-6 record. The maroon and gold sit at the No. 8 spot in the SBC standings heading into their next matchup.  

 Only seven games remain in the Bobcats’ regular season. Texas State will go on the road next against the Old Dominion Monarchs who currently hold a 6-5 conference record and are coming off a loss as well. The tip-off is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. CST in Norfolk, Virginia.