SAN MARCOS, Texas – It was another career day for sophomore Marcus Larsson in as many games as the starting center tied his career-high ten rebounds – which he set on Wednesday night against Wyoming – and added 14 points for his first career double-double, but it was not enough as the University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball fell to Texas State, 72-64, on Saturday afternoon.
Both UIW (1-3) and Texas State battled tooth-and-nail from start to finish before the Bobcats (3-1) pulled away late. Neither team was able to reach a double-digit lead in 40 minutes of play, working through six ties and 14 lead changes as both teams held a lead for just 16 minutes and change before Texas State closed out the game sinking 6-of-8 free throws over the final 4:42.
Larsson registered the first UIW double-double of the season with strong play inside. The 6-11 big man scored a season-high 14 points and reeled in ten defensive rebounds.
"It was great to see Marcus in particular assert himself in the paint," Cunningham said of his sophomore forward hauling in 20 rebounds in the two-game road trip this week.
Sophomore Keaston Willis has been locked in from the start of the season and continues his hot start with 16 points and six rebounds, while redshirt senior Des Balentine knocked down a season-high 11 points to lead the Cardinals' offense.
UIW led by two points (34-32) after 20 minutes of play. Willis connected on 4-of-5 three pointers to lead with 12 points in the half as the Cardinals held a 7-2 advantage from beyond-the-arc, which offset the overall shooting deficit as Texas State shot 53.6 percent (15-of-28) compared to the red and black's 48 percent (12-of-25).
Out of the first tip, UIW and Texas State tried to gain the scoring edge, but every basket was answered on the other end. The largest lead the Cardinals held was five after Balentine and Drew Lutz both connected on long-range shots at the 15:50 and 14:25 marks, respectively. Freshman Josh Morgan added another two-point shot at the 12-minute mark to keep a UIW lead at five, but no more.
Out of the break, Texas State took the reigns and lead, but struggled to gain distance as well. The Bobcats first five-point lead came from the hand of Shelby Adams' trey with 13:13 remaining in the game, but UIW responded as Willis made the first of two free throw attempts and Lutz made a layup to make it a two-point game (44-46) with 12:17 to go.
The Cardinals couldn't close the gap in the final minutes as UIW could only get as close as a one-point game (57-58) after Balentine's jumper fell with five minutes to play. It was the closest the red and black got to the Bobcats down the stretch since Willis' layup tied the game for the final time with just under ten minutes to play.
Texas State benefitted with four players in double-digits as Adams led the Bobcats with 15 points, Marlin Davis scored 12 points and Mason Harrell and Nighael Ceaser each added ten. The Bobcats gained the edge scoring 36 points in the paint and getting to the line, going 10-for-16 at the charity stripe.
COACH CUNNINGHAM SAID
"It was a physical ball game. I thought our guys had a good, tough mindset. Texas State is a rugged outfit and ultimately, they were able to pull it out. But the fellas played hard and are getting better. We will keep battling."
LOOKING AHEAD
UIW returns home for some rest next week before it looks to get back to winning ways against Grambling State on Saturday, Dec. 12, inside the McDermott Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT. Home game spectator requirements can be found here.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwathletics.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWMBB and on Instagram @uiwmensbasketball.
