You have to give credit to the Texas State Bobcats (14-13, 7-7 Sun Belt) for slowing the tempo down on Thursday night. However, the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (22-4, 12-1 Sun Belt) were able to come away with another double-digit victory against the Bobcats.
The Cajuns came out of the gates slow, but fired back with a 9-0 run to get out in front with 14:20 left in the first half. The Bobcats got the lead back shortly after, but the Cajuns were able to hold them back as the first half progressed thanks to some poor shooting from the field by Texas State. Louisiana was also helped by Bryce Washington, who led the team with 18 points, as he dunked one with 1:12 to give them a double-digit lead at the break.
Both teams came out of the gates sloppy to start the second half, but the Cajuns were able to get out to a 15 point lead with 15:55 left in the ballgame. Texas State made it interesting with 4:21 left in regulation thanks to a 10-2 run, making it a five-point deficit. However, a big dunk from JaKeenan Gant followed up by a big block in the final minutes was enough to put the Bobcats away by the score of 73-63.
The Cajuns will return to action on Saturday when they host UT Arlington (16-11, 7-7 Sun Belt) with tipoff set for 7 pm.
-Clint Domingue