The Tarleton State Texans, led by Andy Sigiscar's 15 points and 5 rebounds, held off the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 78-74 in a closely contested matchup at Wisdom Gym. This win marked the Texans' 14th victory of the season, improving their record to 14-13. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, fell to 9-18, with Elijah Duval's 23 points and 7 rebounds not being enough to secure the win. The Texans' 44 points in the first period set the tone for the game, as they shot 51.7% from the field in the first half. In contrast, the Thunderbirds struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 40% from the field in the first half.
As the game progressed, the Thunderbirds began to find their footing, with Isaiah Cottrell's 16 rebounds and 13 points leading the charge. However, the Texans' balanced attack, with three players scoring in double figures, was too much for the Thunderbirds to handle. The Texans' 10-point lead with just over 5 minutes remaining in the game seemed insurmountable, but the Thunderbirds refused to give up, scoring 12 points in the final 3 minutes to narrow the deficit to just 4 points. Despite this late surge, the Texans held on for the win, thanks in large part to their 75% free throw shooting in the second half. Over the last 5 games, the Texans have averaged 60 points per game, while allowing 63 points per game, resulting in a 2-3 record during that stretch.
Southern Utah's Elijah Duval Scores 23 Points in Loss to Tarleton State
The stat line doesn't tell the whole story for the Texans' top performers, as Andy Sigiscar and Chris Mpaka's contributions went beyond their points and rebounds. Sigiscar's 3-pointer with just over 2 minutes remaining in the game helped to stem the Thunderbirds' late surge, while Mpaka's 9 rebounds helped to limit the Thunderbirds' second-chance opportunities. On the other hand, the Thunderbirds' Elijah Duval disappeared in the second half, scoring just 5 points after tallying 18 in the first half. Duval's struggles from the field, where he shot just 1-6 in the second half, were a major factor in the Thunderbirds' inability to mount a successful comeback. The Texans' Ocypher Owens, who scored 10 points, including 2 crucial free throws in the final minute, also played a key role in the win.
The Texans' recent trend of struggling to score, averaging just 60 points per game over their last 5 games, made this win all the more impressive. Their 78 points against the Thunderbirds marked a significant improvement, and their 51.7% shooting from the field was a major factor in their success. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, have been averaging 68.6 points per game over their last 5 games, but their defense has been a major concern, allowing 74.8 points per game during that stretch. The Thunderbirds' 2-3 record over their last 5 games, including a 61-80 loss to UT Arlington, highlights their struggles to find consistency.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The CHD Scout's prediction of a 77-70 Tarleton State win was remarkably close to the actual score, with the Texans ultimately winning 78-74. The prediction was correct, with the Texans' balanced attack and strong free throw shooting proving to be the difference. The scout's model accurately accounted for the Texans' recent trend of struggling to score, as well as the Thunderbirds' defensive struggles. The model also correctly predicted the Thunderbirds' ability to score, with Elijah Duval and Isaiah Cottrell leading the charge. However, the model may have underestimated the Texans' ability to limit the Thunderbirds' second-chance opportunities, with Chris Mpaka's 9 rebounds playing a key role in the win.
The win marked a crucial victory for the Texans, who are looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With just 5 games remaining, the Texans are in desperate need of wins to improve their tournament resume. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, are all but eliminated from tournament contention, with their 9-18 record and 279 NET ranking making it unlikely that they will receive an at-large bid. The Texans' 14-13 record and 208 NET ranking, while not impressive, still give them a glimmer of hope for a tournament bid. However, their recent trend of struggling to score and their 2-3 record over their last 5 games make it clear that they have work to do if they want to make a push for the tournament.
The win did little to change the Texans' tournament picture, with their NET ranking remaining at 208. However, the win did help to improve their quad 4 record, which now stands at 4-10. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, saw their NET ranking remain at 279, and their quad 3 record now stands at 2-12. The loss was a significant blow to the Thunderbirds' already slim tournament hopes, and it is likely that they must win out and receive an automatic bid in order to make the tournament. The Texans, while still on the bubble, have a slightly more realistic chance of making the tournament, but they must win at least 3 of their remaining 5 games in order to have a chance. The win over the Thunderbirds was a step in the right direction, but the Texans still have a long way to go if they want to make a push for the tournament.
The Texans' recent form, including their 2-3 record over their last 5 games, makes it clear that they are still a work in progress. However, their win over the Thunderbirds was a positive step, and they want to build on that momentum as they head into their next game. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, want to regroup and try to find some consistency, with their 2-3 record over their last 5 games highlighting their struggles to find rhythm. The 78-74 score marked a significant improvement for the Texans, who had been struggling to score in recent games. The win was a crucial one for the Texans, who are looking to make a push for the tournament. With 5 games remaining, the Texans must win at least 3 of them in order to have a realistic chance of making the tournament. The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, are all but eliminated from tournament contention, and will likely need to win out and receive an automatic bid in order to make the tournament. The Texans' 208 NET ranking and 14-13 record give them a glimmer of hope, but they must continue to win in order to make a push for the tournament.