SAN MARCOS, Texas – Sun Belt Conference play tips off on Thursday when the Texas State men's basketball team (7-6) hosts ULM (4-9) in Strahan Arena at 7 p.m.
 
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Suzanne Fox calling the action. Fans can also tune into KTSW 89.9 FM and the Varsity Sports Network app to listen to Clint Shields on the call.
 
About Texas State
Non-conference play for the Bobcats ended with a 15-point victory over the University of Science & Arts. Four Bobcats matched or set new career-highs in points led by 27 points from Mason Harrell. His performance increased his team leading scoring average to 18.3 points per game.
 
Nighael Ceaser is coming off his second straight game of grabbing at least 10 rebounds and is now grabbing 9.2 per contest. He is contributing 11.8 ppg as well. Both Drue Drinnon and Harrell have dished out a team best 34 assists.
 
Five Bobcats have recorded at least 10 steals led by Davion Sykes with 15. Brandon Love has blocked a team-high 14 shots and Tuongthach Gatkek is right behind him with 13 rejections.
 
TXST is 4-5 all-time in the opening game of Sun Belt action. The last win for the program came on Jan. 3, 2019 against Georgia Southern by a score of 73-70.
 
About ULM
The Warhawks ended non-conference play with a 66-55 loss at home to Jacksonville on Dec. 20. Their last win was on Dec. 17 in Monroe over Lamar for the team's first Division I win of the season. The three other victories were against non-Division I programs Champion Christian, Central Baptist and Dallas Christian.
 
Pacing ULM offensively is Tyreke Locure with 13.3 point per game. He also leads the squad with 44 assists and 27 steals. Five other players are putting up at least eight points a contest in Victor Bafutto (8.5), Jamari Blackmon (9.7), Savion Gallion (9.0), Thomas Howell (8.7) and Nika Metshvarishvili (9.8).
 
All-Time Series
Holding a slim 31-30 edge in the series is Texas State, which as won the last eight meetings. Since 2017, the Bobcats are 12-2 against the Warhawks. Last season in San Marcos, TXST won 80-56 on Jan. 13, 2022 with four players reaching double-figures.
 
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