Box Score

Lafayette, La. – Two days after its best defensive performance in 30 years, the Texas State men's basketball team suffered a setback in its building process under first-year head coach Danny Kaspar, falling 81-58, Monday night at UL-Lafayette.

UL-Lafayette used a 10-2 run to take control of the game early, stretching its 8-6 lead all the way to 18-8. The Ragin Cajuns were red hot from the three-point line as they put distance between them and the Bobcats, hitting on five three-pointers in the first 20 minutes.

Point guard Elfrid Payton repeatedly got to the free throw line in the first half, after entering the game third in the country in free throw attempts with 10 per game. Payton got to the line six times, making four of them and had 13 points in the first half as UL-Lafayette led 42-26 at halftime.

For the Bobcats Joel Wright was the top scoring threat in the first half with 11 points and adding seven rebounds. Emani Gant chipped in eight early points for Texas State, and finished the game with 12. Wright finished as Texas State's top scorer with 17.

Texas State heated up from the arc in the second half, as Reid Koenen and Kavin Gilder-Tilbury each hit a three midway through the half to cut the ULL lead to 16. Unfortunately the Ragin Cajuns answered right away finding corner threes against the 1-3-1 zone. The Bobcats ended the night with three made from beyond the arc and UL-Lafayette made eight.

Texas State will now have five days off before returning home to play UT Arlington on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. The Bobcats and Mavericks are each in their first year in the Sun Belt after one year in the WAC and many years together in the Southland.