SAN MARCOS, Texas – Little Rock tangles with a familiar foe when it plays Texas State Friday night. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
The Trojans (2-3) and Bobcats (4-2) were both members of the Sun Belt Conference until Little Rock joined the Ohio Valley Conference before the 2022-23 seasons. The two teams have also met once since then as nonconference opponents.
Fans can catch all of the action on 106.7 FM Buz2 with Ray Tucker on the call. An ESPN+ stream is also available.
GAME INFO
Who: Little Rock (2-3) at Texas State (4-2)
When: 7 p.m., Friday, November 21
Where: Strahan Arena (7,295)
Radio: 106.7 The Buz2 (Ray Tucker pxp) Listen
HERE.
Video: ESPN+ (Brant Freeman, pxp; Suzanne Fox, analyst) Watch
HERE.
SERIES HISTORY
- Texas State leads the all-time series 13–10.
- Little Rock won the most recent meeting, 71–66, on Nov. 6, 2023, at the Jack Stephens Center.
COACH SPEAK
"We didn't play well Tuesday night, and we want to get that taste out of our mouths and head home on a high note. We've worked very hard the past few days to increase our defensive intensity. That was a strength of last year's team, and we have to get back to that."
— Little Rock Head Coach Darrell Walker
TROJAN TIDBITS
- Senior Johnathan Lawson continues to pace the Trojans with 13.2 points per game, while also leading the team in assists (3.8) and minutes (31.8).
- Junior forward Cam Wallace has yet to start a game but sits second on the team at 12.0 points per game, providing instant production off the bench.
- Graduate forward Tuongthach Gatkek may be listed from Portland, Maine, but Friday is a true homecoming. Gatkek spent multiple high school seasons at Caprock School in Amarillo, Texas, starred at Trinity Valley (Texas) CC, and even played one season at Texas State before transferring. He expects a large cheering section of family and friends in San Marcos.
- Following the trip, Little Rock returns home Saturday and won't play again until Saturday, Nov. 29 at Southern Illinois, giving the Trojans a full week to reset and prepare
SCOUTING TEXAS STATE
- Head coach Terrence Johnson, now in his sixth year, has guided Texas State to back-to-back Sun Belt regular-season championships and the school's first-ever NIT appearance. He is 92–70 at the helm.
- The Bobcats finished 16–16 last season.
- TSU was picked 8th of 13 in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- DJ Hall leads the Bobcats in scoring (10.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg) while also ranking second in assists.
- Texas State features balanced scoring, with four players averaging double figures: Hall, Mark Drone (10.2), Dimp Pernell (10.3), Makai Willis (10.0), and nearly Franck Emou (9.3).
- The Bobcats have won five straight home games dating back to last season, including Tuesday's 63–49 win over Abilene Christian.
