After coming out of a loss from UTSA, the Texas State men’s basketball team defeated the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley 75-58 in its third game of the season.
The Bobcats competed against UTRGV Nov. 18 at home in Strahan Coliseum, and improved their overall game since playing against the Roadrunners.
In field goals, the Bobcats had an overall 45.5 shooting percentage and 20 percentage in three-pointers. In the team’s previous game against the Roadrunners, the Bobcats only had a 58.1 percentage in free throws. However, the Bobcats improved to 73.3 percentage against UTRGV.
Individually, sophomore guard Nijal Pearson led the team and had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Pearson also went 6-10 in free throws and played 34 minutes.
“He’s a good leader, he really led us today,” Head coach Danny Kaspar said. “He really wanted that win tonight, Nijal did.”
Behind Pearson were senior Immanuel King and sophomore Nedeljko Prijovic with 13 points each—both playing 25 minutes. King had eight rebounds while Prijovic had nine.
“Four guys can really shoot the ball pretty good,” Kaspar said. “Tyler, Gurley, Trey Nottingham and Nijal. That’s the shooters on our team. Tyler is probably the best pure shooter.”
After Saturday’s win, the Bobcats had their first full day off Sunday, and Kaspar was pleased with the results of ending the week with a win.
“Our first full day off in ten days is tomorrow,” Kaspar said. “I’m really happy for our guys that they can go in a full day off on a victory and feel good about themselves and enjoy their day off.”
The Bobcats now have a 1-2 record as the season is just starting. Next, Texas State will travel away to Stockton, California to compete in the Men Against Breast Cancer Showcase.
The Bobcats will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Canisus and Pacific starting Nov. 22 at 9 p.m.