SAN MARCOS, Texas – Coming off a career best game on Thursday night, Texas State's
Jordan Mason stepped up offensively with a new career-high 19 points Saturday afternoon in Strahan Arena on the newly minted Jeff Foster Court. However, Louisiana (16-4, 6-2 Sun Belt) came away with a 60-51 win over the Bobcats (10-11, 3-5 Sun Belt).
"One of the things we struggled with today was believing. I saw a group of guys that, in my opinion, hadn't gotten over Thursday. It's not many times that we carry that level of baggage," said head coach
Terrence Johnson. "We have to play with a little bit more passion, a light bit more fight and believe in whoever is in the lineup."
"Credit to Coach Marlin and Louisiana. They traveled yesterday and came in here today and did what they needed to do to come out victorious. We need to figure out a way to bounce back, flush it and get back to trying to win the day."
Mason made 5-of-11 shots and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. The freshman also grabbed a season-high seven rebounds to pace TXST on the day and recorded two steals.
Netting eight points apiece was
Drue Drinnon,
Nate Martin and
Tyrel Morgan.
The Ragin' Cajuns led for nearly the first 35 minutes of the game. A 6-0 run by the Bobcats saw
Davion Sykes knock down two charity stripe attempts to tie the game at 30. The next possession down for TXST concluded with a Drinnon jumper from the Sun Belt Conference logo in the paint to give TXST its first lead of the contest.
A three-point advantage was the largest for the Bobcats with the last coming at the 8:28 mark following a layup courtesy of Sykes.
Louisiana took advantage of Texas State's mistakes to go on an 11-0 run to take control for the rest of the game.
Next up for the Bobcats is Georgia Southern in San Marcos on Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip.
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