SAN MARCOS, Texas– Texas State will put its five-game winning streak on the line in its Sun Belt Conference home-opening series against Louisiana at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 at Strahan Arena in San Marcos. 
 

The Bobcats (11-4, 5-1 Sun Belt) return to their home floor for the first time since Dec. 15, 2020, but come back as the leader in the Sun Belt Conference standings despite being picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the league's preseason poll.  TXST has won eight of its last nine contests, including back-to-back two-game series road sweeps over the reigning Sun Belt Conference Champions, Little Rock, and ULM. The Bobcats improved to No. 19 in the CIT Mid-Major Top 25 Poll behind a solid defense that ranks No. 27 in the NCAA and No. 2 in the Sun Belt with a 62.3 scoring defense. They have held their opponents below 60 points in four out of five games and rank third in the league with 15.9 forced turnovers this season. Offensively, the team has scored 70 or more points in four of their last six games behind a 47.6 field goal percentage (No. 41 in the NCAA, No. 3 in the Sun Belt) and .388 clip from behind-the-arc (No. 24 in the NCAA, No. 3 in the Sun Belt). TXST averages 67.4 points per game and averages 13.9 assists per game.

Junior guards Caleb Asberry and Mason Harrell lead the Bobcats with 12.8 points per game tied at No. 17 in the Sun Belt.

Asberry has been a solid contributor for Texas State this season as he shoots 52.3 percent from the floor (No. 12 in the Sun Belt) and 44.8 percent from 3-point range (No. 5 in the Sun Belt). Asberry has started the last nine games and has scored in double figures in eight of them, including three 20-point performances. Since beginning conference play, Asberry averages 15.2 points and is shooting over 50.0 percent from both the floor (51.7%) and 3-point range (51.5%).

Harrell ranks second in the conference with 34.9 minutes on average (No. 71 in the NCAA) and is shooting 44.0 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from behind-the-arc (No. 11 in the Sun Belt), and 81.6 percent from the charity stripe (No. 5 in the Sun Belt). Harrell adds 11.0 points per game in conference games only.

Senior forward Isiah Small averages 10.3 points per game and leads the Bobcats with 6.1 rebounds (No. 13 in the Sun Belt) and 1.3 blocks per game (No. 6 in the Sun Belt). Small, who also sits 4th in the conference with a 57.4 field goal percentage, paces the team with 15.2 points and five total blocks. Small is shooting an impressive 70.0 percent from the floor, and 76.9 percent from 3-point range in conference games alone. The New Jersey native has led Texas State to a 3-1 record when playing Louisiana teams so far, led by his 19.3 points, 78.0 field goal percentage and 80.3 3-point percentage (8-of-10). In the first meeting against Louisiana this season, Small dropped a career-high 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting and added four rebounds, a block, and a steal in an overtime loss.

SCOUTING LOUISIANA
The Ragin' Cajuns (11-4, 5-3 Sun Belt) are on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Arkansas State last weekend. This weekend begins a four-game road trip for a Louisiana team that has a total of three road games this season (2-1). Louisiana averages 75.1 points per game (No. 5 in the Sun Belt) but gives up 72.1 points (No. 10 in the Sun Belt) despite holding its opponents to a 41.4 field goal percentage (No. 3 in the Sun Belt) and lead the conference with 5.5 blocks per game.

Senior guard Cedric Russell leads the Ragin' Cajuns with 17.3 points (No. 3 in the Sun Belt), followed by sophomore guard Mylik Wilson, who averages 13.9 points (T-No. 11 in the Sun Belt), 5.3 rebounds per game (No. 17 in the Sun Belt), 2.5 steals per game (No. 3 in the Sun Belt). Junior forward Theo Akwuba averages a double-double with 11.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game (No. 4 in the Sun Belt). Akwuba leads the conference with 3.3 blocks per game this season.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Louisiana, who is No. 21 in the CIT Mid-Major Poll, leads Texas State in the all-time series 12-6 although the Bobcats have won four of the last five meetings. The Bobcats and Ragin' Cajuns split their series earlier this season at the Cajundome. After falling 83-77 in overtime, TXST defeated La. 71-59 to begin its current five-game winning streak.

CHALK TALK
The Texas State men's basketball staff will be hosting Chalk Talk. Chalk Talk will be a presentation by one of the coaching staff members, followed by a meet and greet. Light refreshments will be provided. Chalk Talk will be before each non-conference home game, the UT Arlington game on Feb. 13, 2021, and all Friday home games. For more information about joining the tip-in club, call 512-245-3832.  

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