The Bobcat Women’s Basketball team headed south down I-35 last night to try and upset the conference leading UTSA Roadrunners by enacting revenge on senior night. Led by Senior superstar Monica Gibbs, the Roadrunners held strong on their home court, coming away with the 80 to 70 victory and sweeping the season series between the two teams, two to nothing.
From the moment the ball was tipped, the Bobcats could not buy a break, turning the ball over four times on traveling violations in the first two minutes. On the other end of the court, Gibbs was showing why she is a three time SLC player of the week winner this season, taking a slue of Bobcat defenders to the hole at her own discretion.
However, the Bobcats played with determination knotting the score at 12 a piece after an inbounds play to Kim Cessna was executed to perfection with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Gibbs continued to wear down the Bobcat defense, seeing five different Bobcat defenders in the first half alone. Gibbs' ability to draw defenders left players wide open like Onika Anderson down low and Jordan Stark from behind the arc. The Roadrunners extended their lead to ten, at 45 to 35, as the teams headed for the locker rooms.
The teams traded baskets throughout most of the second half with a great deal of UTSA’s points coming from the free throw line. Gibbs made 20 trips to the line in the second half alone, capitalizing on 17 of 24 for the game. Gibbs led all scorers with 29 points along with 9 dimes and 8 boards.
The Bobcats made a late second half surge behind the hot long range shooting of Aimie Hilburn and some scrappy full court defense, dwindling the lead down to 5 with just under two minutes remaining. Failure to capitalize on some key buckets forced the Bobcats to foul and send a number of Roadrunners to the line down the stretch. UTSA’s victory moved them to 13 and 2 in conference play and dropped the Bobcats to 6 and 9.
Despite the loss, good news floated down from the rafters following the game; Sam Houston State and McNeese State both suffered losses which possibly could secure a spot for Texas State in the Southland Conference Tournament. Head Coach Suzanne Fox was impressed with the way her girls played and is excited about an opportunity to display their talent in the conference tournament. A win would solitify their appearance in the tournament, but even if the Bobcats lose on Sunday, they could still be in if the cards fall right.
Hilburn led the Bobcats with 25 points and Gabriel Mattox put up another double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Bobcats final season game will be Sunday at two o’clock in Strahan Coliseum for senior night. You can listen to all the action on 89.9 KTSW starting with the pre-game at 1:45 p.m.
Matt Petmecky- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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