CONWAY, Ark _ The Texas State Bobcats shot nearly 60 percent in the second half to pull away for an 85-61 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Wednesday night at the Farris Center.
UCA was nearly as cold as the temperature outside the arena, shooting just 36.1 percent from the field and connecting on 13 of 30 free throws (43.3 percent). The Bears were also 4 of 20 from three-point range and turned the ball over 22 times.
“As coaches, we always try to find something positive we can take from a game,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson, “and from this one, for me, there’s really nothing to take away. I thought we had a great crowd out here, considering the weather was bad, and they still came out to support us. But we didn’t come out with the effort we should have to encourage them to come back out and support us.
“It was a very disappointing effort. On our behalf as coaches, we were very disappointed how we came out to play today.’
The Bobcats (11-12, 6-3), co-leaders in the Southland Conference West Division, led 31-22 at halftime, then put up 54 more points in the second half. Tony Bishop led TSU with 22 points, hitting 9 of 12 from the field. Guard Eddie Rios came off the bench for 19 points, including five three-pointers. The Bobcats were 19 of 32 from the field (59.4) percent. UCA made just 22 field goals for the game.
“We felt like this was a team we had a great opportunity to play with,’ said Williamson. “Then to come out and perform the way we did, it’s very disappointing, very disheartening. But we have to continue to play on. We have more games to play and we have to continue to practice and push these guys to get better.’
The biggest problem for the Bears again came at the foul line where they shot less than 50 percent for the second consecutive game. The Bears are a combined 29 of 65 from the stripe in the past two games. Junior forward Mark Rutledge, a respectable 67-percent shooter, was 0 for 6 on Wednesday.
“We came in here and shot free throws all day yesterday, and then again earlier today,’ said Williamson. “I’m at a loss for words on the free throws. We’re trying every trick in the world and we just can’t knock them down. It’s a concentration thing or something, but we have to figure out some way to make free throws.’
The 22 turnovers was the second-highest total of the season for the Bears, trailing only the 24 against the defensive-minded Missouri Tigers.
“We had 22 turnovers and this team really didn’t pressure us the way some other teams have,’ said Williamson. “It’s frustrating when you turn the basketball over and don’t take care of it. You look at 29 points (for Texas State) off turnovers, and we leave 17 points on the board from the free-throw line...
“You cut some of those turnovers down and you make some free throws, who knows, you might have an opportunity to win the game. We haven’t figured that out.’
Senior guard Imad Qahwash led the Bears with 15 points and 10 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double against Texas State. Senior forward Tadre Sheppard added 12 points and 8 rebounds, including six offensive boards.
UCA hits the road this weekend to take on the McNeese State Cowboys in Lake Charles, La. Tipoff is 3 p.m. Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the women’s game.
