Bobcats Can't Overcome UCA Rebounding, Poor Officiating

Texas State just can't seem to catch a break.

Despite four players in double figures, respectable shooting and great defense, the Bobcats couldn't overcome adversity and a late Sugar Bear run in a 79-67 loss to Central Arkansas. The 'Cats were hampered by a potent Central Arkansas Sugar Bear rebounding attack and resoundingly poor officiating in another frustrating loss at the Farris Center in Conway, Arkansas. It's rare when referees control a game to the point where both sides could conclude that they had a significant hand in the outcome of the game, but this game was unfortunately an exception. There will be more analysis on that subject later.

The first half started out well for the Bobcats as they jumped out to an early 16-9 lead with help from three-pointers made by Kelsey Krupa and Tamarra Evans-Sluga. However, despite the first good start by Texas State in a number of games, Central Arkansas made it clear that they weren't going to go away. The Sugar Bears roared back to tie the Bobcats at 18 with just under 9 minutes left in the first half, and from that point Texas State could not extricate themselves from anything more than a 4 point lead. Momentum, however, seemed to stay in Texas State's corner until right at the end of the half. With 1:45 left, the 'Cats jumped back out to a 31-27 lead, but quickly gave up a cheap basket to UCA's Desiree Rogers. Then, disaster struck on the final 2 possessions, as Texas State's Victoria Davis held onto the ball a little too long and forced up a missed shot. Then, Rogers, who finished with an outstanding 28 points on the day, torched Texas State for a 3-pointer and UCA's first lead of the day with 2 seconds left. As the Bobcats went into half trailing 32-31, it was clear that they were a bit shellshocked.

After Coach Suzanne Fox exhorted her team to keep up the intensity in the second half, the 'Cats traded blows with the Sugar Bears for the first 5 minutes. Then, outstanding UCA freshman Megan Herbert, averaging about 24 points and 14 rebounds a game, sunk a huge three with 15:09 remaining. From that point, the Sugar Bears--and the referees--took over the game. After the Bobcats had only been to the line three times and UCA only 9 in the first half, SLC referee crew Jeff Faulconer, Ron Harris, and Mike Riggs seemed to become whistle happy. Unfortunately for Texas State, most of those whistles went against them. By the 12 minute mark, UCA was already in the bonus, and by the 8:25 mark, Texas State was in the penalty. UCA went to the free throw line a stunning 28 times in the 2nd half and made 23 of those attempts, while the Bobcats went to the line a measly 8 times and hit 4. Given the final score of 79-67, that was a significant difference in this one.

Now, it's always tough to say that referees ever have a significant impact on the outcome of a basketball game. Usually, a fan accusing the referees of controlling a game often smacks of sour grapes, and one can usually find a reason as to why their team REALLY lost. A great example of this Texas State's loss to A&M - Corpus, where the Islanders hit their shots late and the 'Cats didn't, even though the game didn't seem to always be evenly called. However, it was abundantly clear that Faulconer, Harris, and Riggs had an adverse effect on the final outcome from Texas State's perspective. One of the major statistical differences in this game was that Bobcats were outrebounded 49-28, and most shockingly 21-8 in the offensive rebounding column. However, part of that can be attributed to a number of missed over the back calls where UCA would reach over a Bobcat player, but Texas State would get relentlessly whistled for doing the same thing. Both teams seemed to be doing the exact same things--playing the same defense, going after rebounds the same way--and overall looked to be evenly matched. However, the officiating did not reflect that fact, and it seriously affected the outcome of the game.

Even more disturbing was the sense that Texas State's players were not being adequately protected by the referees. A scary moment occurred in the 2nd half when Verinus Kalu was sent flying by UCA freshman Westin Taylor on what should have been called a moving screen. Taylor's arms were up around her shoulders, and Kalu suffered a hit that may have re-aggravated a head injury she sustained at Corpus Christi. Instead, there was no call, and UCA made an easy layup as the Bobcat players stood around shocked that the call was not made. Coach Fox stormed out to halfcourt, was originally called for a technical foul, but the referees appeared to either wave it off or even forget about it after the media timeout. KTSW learned later that Kalu suffered a concussion. After the game, Coach Fox waited outside of the Farris Center locker room frequented by the SLC referees with a police escort, and had a lengthy conversation with what looked to be Faulconer or Riggs.

What was most telling about how much of an impact the officiating played in this game, however, was a postgame conversation between Fox AND UCA head coach Matt Daniel. Both coaches appeared to air their grievances (not at each other, mind you) about a plethora of missed calls throughout the game.

Give credit to UCA, they made 82% of their free throws in the 2nd half and did what they had to do to win. Desiree Rogers was outstanding with 28 points and 9 rebounds, Nakeia Guiden torched the 'Cats for 22 points and 7 rebounds, while Megan Herbert registered yet another double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. The above paragraphs are not an expression of a desire to take away anything from their effort. However, from Texas State's perspective, there was a general feeling of emptiness on the team bus during the 9-hour ride back from Conway. If the game had been called evenly there is absolutely no guarantee that Texas State would have won, but unfortunately they were given little opportunity to prove that they could do so.

With the loss, Texas State falls to 4-10, remained winless on the road, winless against Division 1 competition and winless in SLC play. The 'Cats will have to shake off those feelings of frustration when they take on Sam Houston State in San Marcos at 7 pm. SHSU has lost 8 straight, but shockingly swept the Bobcats last year for the first time in the entire decade. You can head down to Strahan Coliseum to catch the action live, or you can listen on Stretch Internet at txstatebobcats.com.

-Will Butler, KTSW Sports Director/Blog Editor