Ragin’ Cajuns Top Texas State In Game Of Runs

Texas State tried to come back twice, but the Ragin' Cajuns held off the Bobcats for a critical 72-63 win to break out of a slump in Sun Belt Play.

Every time Head Coaches Bob Marlin and Danny Kaspar meet up, the result is usually an exciting and fiery performance from their teams. Marlin's squad came away the victors this go-around with a 14-1 run to close out the game after surviving a game of twists and turns.

Marlin referred to the win as a "game of perseverance" after seeing his team's 16 point lead in the second half evaporate. They held on for the win though, which will make the long ride back from San Marcos a little bit better. Especially when there's Chicken Express on board too.

"Happy bus, and hopefully it will carry over to being at home Thursday and Saturday," Marlin said after the game.

The win improves the Ragin' Cajuns to 12-10 overall, but more importantly, it gives them a 6-5 winning record in Sun Belt play. They went into San Marcos with five losses in their last six games, so the pendulum might be starting to swing back in the other direction in this up-and-down Sun Belt schedule.

A couple Cajuns broke out for masterful performances, but the team as a whole only committed nine turnovers in a very patient offensive performance. Jay Wright orchestrated the show with 10 assists and only one turnover, which prompted proper praise from his Head Coach.

"We need him out there on the floor, Marlin said. "He did a good job defensively also."

Wright wasn't the only one who brought his focus to San Marcos either. Freshman Johnathan Stove posted a career-high 19 points on 7-10 shooting from the floor to lead all Cajuns in scoring, which was by far his best game in a Cajun uniform. Despite fighting foul trouble that kept him off the floor, Shawn Long put up yet another double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) and even had a pair of assists.

Kaspar's Bobcats were held to 36.7% shooting (18-49) by an energized Cajun defense, and if it weren't for the 21 made free throws, the score might not have been nearly as close.

With nine games left in Sun Belt play for the Ragin' Cajuns, there is still plenty of time left to jockey into position for a good seed in the tournament. If they want to carry over the momentum like Coach Marlin mentioned, they might want to save some of the film...and maybe some Chicken Express too. Why not?