Bobcats Host Jaguars In Sun Belt Home Opener

The last time the programs played in Strahan Coliseum, the Bobcats won 90-64 on senior night with five players reaching double-figures led by Kavin Gilder-Tilbury’s 26.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State men’s basketball team plays its first Sun Belt Conference game in Strahan Coliseum on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against South Alabama. Entering the game, the Bobcats have won five consecutive conference home games.

TXST is 8-7 on the season and 1-1 in the Sun Belt while the Jaguars are 8-6 overall and one of three teams that are 2-0 in conference play.

Live stats and a video stream will be available for the game with links on the team’s schedule page. Bill Culhane will have the call on the radio with the game being broadcast on 103.1 FM out of Austin and KTSW 89.9 FM out of San Marcos. Fans can also listen to the game through the TuneIn Radio apps on their mobile devices.

Following the first weekend of conference play, Nijal Pearson leads the team in scoring (16.5) and steals (3). The sophomore is averaging 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game on the seasons. He is second on the team with 26 made three-pointers and is shooting 34.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Immanuel King leads the Bobcats with 6.3 rebounds per game. His 11 blocks are tied for the most on the squad with fellow big man Eric Terry. The Rocky Mount, North Carolina native is netting 9.3 ppg behind 61.3 percent shooting.

Pacing the squad with 27 made three-pointers and a 42.2 percent shooting percentage from long distance is Tyler Blount, while contributing 7.8 ppg.

Alex Peacock is scoring 7.4 ppg with a 50.0 field goal percentage and team-high 78.0 free throw percentage. Dishing out a team-high 3.4 assists is Marlin Davis.

Scouting South Alabama

South Alabama opened SBC action with home wins over Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Six of the Jaguars victories this season have come at home with the other two being at a neutral site. When playing true road games, USA is 0-5 this season with losses to FIU, La Salle, SIU-Edwardsville, Texas Tech and Tulane.

Rodrick Sikes, the reign SBC Player of the week, is averaging 18.4 ppg and netting 29.0 ppg in the first two conference games. He has made 44.1 percent from the field, made 43.3 percent of his three-point attempts and has made a team-high 45 treys. The junior has also knocked down 75.6 percent at the free throw line and recorded 15 steals.

Josh Ajayi is putting up 12.2 ppg with a team best 50.4 field goal percentage and playing a team-high 30.8 minutes per game. The sophomore is tied for the team lead with Trhae Mitchell at 6.8 rpg.

The third USA player to net double-figures is Jordan Andrews at 10.0 ppg. The Youngstown State transfer is shooting a Sun Belt high 90.9 percent at the charity stripe but has made only 30.1 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from long distance.

Leading the team with 2.9 apg is Herb McGee. Nick Davis enters Thursday’s contest with a team-high 23 blocks.

All-Time vs. Jaguars

Texas State leads the all-time series over South Alabama 6-2. Last season saw the teams split the season series with the home team winning both times. The last time the programs played in Strahan Coliseum, the Bobcats won 90-64 on senior night with five players reaching double-figures led by Kavin Gilder-Tilbury’s 26. When playing in San Marcos, TXST is 4-0 against the Jaguars.

For the latest on Texas State men’s basketball, visit the official website of Texas State athletics at www.txstatebobcats.com, follow the team on Instagram and Twitter at @TxStateMBB and like on Facebook at /TexasStateMensBasketball.

Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=191272

Video: http://www.txstatebobcats.com/watch/?Live=1382&type=Live

Audio: http://www.txstatebobcats.com/watch/?Live=1430&type=Live

Game Notes: http://txstatebobcats.com/sports/2016/11/2/2016-17-mens-basketball-game-notes.aspx