The Texas State Bobcats hosted I-35 rival UTSA on Wednesday night at Strahan Coliseum. The #2 ranked Roadrunners came into the Coliseum on a 1 game win streak in the Southland Conference. The #5 Bobcats needed a win to stay in the hunt for the Southland Conference Tournament. The game was part of the I-35 Rivalry between Texas State and UTSA.
Other than the opening tip being won by the Roadrunners and the proceeding three point shot, the Bobcat's were in control for most of the game, and the entire first half. Coming out with a lot of intensity and energy to match up against a tough opponent, the Bobcat's took control of the boards, offensively and defensively. The Roadrunner offense was held in check and only Amber Gregg and Monica Gibbs kept the Runner's in the game. Gregg started the game going 2-3 from beyond the three point arc and Gibbs had 3 assists in the first half. Onika Anderson and Ryba Pawlaczyk were held to just 4 points and 7 rebounds, collectively.
The Bobcats came out on fire, led by Victoria Davis. By the 7 minute mark in the first half, Davis had already collected 7 rebounds, 6 points, and 2 Back-to-Back blocks. Her intensity and Birthday Girl's, Aimee Hilburn's, extra hustle had the Bobcats going into the half with an 11 point lead. Hilburn took care of the boards practically by herself and was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. Although her stats didn't quite show her impact on the game, (9 points and 4 boards) she was all over the court and definitely runner up in player of the game behind Victoria Davis. Hilburn and Verinus Kalu picked up for Davis when she left the game for the remainder of the first half after a nagging knee injury flared up on her. Kalu kept the intensity on the court and had numerous defensive plays that would increase the Bobcats' lead before half.
In the second half, the Roadrunners looked like they were starting to get things together early, scoring on their first two possessions. However, with the return of Victoria Davis the Bobcats increased their lead and at the 15 minute mark in the second half the 'Cats were up 40-25. Their largest lead of the game would be 17 points shortly thereafter. The intensity started to decline for the Bobcats around the 10 minute mark and the RoadRunners took advantage, cutting the lead to 45-35 with 7:52 remaining. The Bobcats had no plan to stop Gibbs and Gregg who along with Jordan Stark and Onika Anderson brought the game even closer in the last 5 minutes. Gibbs' dribble drive penetration left Gregg and Stark open for big threes late in the game and Onika Anderson started to get going down low and made her 8 points worth the patience.
With the lead slipping away late, the 'Cats had a couple of late opportunities to tie or take the lead. However, Kim Cessna and Aimee Hilburn were unable to hit late threes to tie the game to give the Bobcats a chance. After playing the first 30 minutes of the game at a higher intensity, the 'Cats looked as if they were losing the edge to the Roadrunners in the last 2 minutes. Late field goals by the Roadrunners left the 'Cats looking to tie with three point attempts by Hilburn and Cessna. After a quick drive down the court by Victoria Davis with 30 seconds left and down 2 the Bobcats looked as if they might have a chance, but Junior Jordan Stark, put the Runners up 4 with 2 big free throws late.
The loss was the first for the Bobcats at home this season and drops them down to presumably last place in the Western division of the Southland Conference. Their next game is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. against UT-Arlington. That game is to be played in Strahan Coliseum and can be heard on 89.9 KTSW and txstatebobcats.com.
Will McGinnis- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
Other than the opening tip being won by the Roadrunners and the proceeding three point shot, the Bobcat's were in control for most of the game, and the entire first half. Coming out with a lot of intensity and energy to match up against a tough opponent, the Bobcat's took control of the boards, offensively and defensively. The Roadrunner offense was held in check and only Amber Gregg and Monica Gibbs kept the Runner's in the game. Gregg started the game going 2-3 from beyond the three point arc and Gibbs had 3 assists in the first half. Onika Anderson and Ryba Pawlaczyk were held to just 4 points and 7 rebounds, collectively.
The Bobcats came out on fire, led by Victoria Davis. By the 7 minute mark in the first half, Davis had already collected 7 rebounds, 6 points, and 2 Back-to-Back blocks. Her intensity and Birthday Girl's, Aimee Hilburn's, extra hustle had the Bobcats going into the half with an 11 point lead. Hilburn took care of the boards practically by herself and was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. Although her stats didn't quite show her impact on the game, (9 points and 4 boards) she was all over the court and definitely runner up in player of the game behind Victoria Davis. Hilburn and Verinus Kalu picked up for Davis when she left the game for the remainder of the first half after a nagging knee injury flared up on her. Kalu kept the intensity on the court and had numerous defensive plays that would increase the Bobcats' lead before half.
In the second half, the Roadrunners looked like they were starting to get things together early, scoring on their first two possessions. However, with the return of Victoria Davis the Bobcats increased their lead and at the 15 minute mark in the second half the 'Cats were up 40-25. Their largest lead of the game would be 17 points shortly thereafter. The intensity started to decline for the Bobcats around the 10 minute mark and the RoadRunners took advantage, cutting the lead to 45-35 with 7:52 remaining. The Bobcats had no plan to stop Gibbs and Gregg who along with Jordan Stark and Onika Anderson brought the game even closer in the last 5 minutes. Gibbs' dribble drive penetration left Gregg and Stark open for big threes late in the game and Onika Anderson started to get going down low and made her 8 points worth the patience.
With the lead slipping away late, the 'Cats had a couple of late opportunities to tie or take the lead. However, Kim Cessna and Aimee Hilburn were unable to hit late threes to tie the game to give the Bobcats a chance. After playing the first 30 minutes of the game at a higher intensity, the 'Cats looked as if they were losing the edge to the Roadrunners in the last 2 minutes. Late field goals by the Roadrunners left the 'Cats looking to tie with three point attempts by Hilburn and Cessna. After a quick drive down the court by Victoria Davis with 30 seconds left and down 2 the Bobcats looked as if they might have a chance, but Junior Jordan Stark, put the Runners up 4 with 2 big free throws late.
The loss was the first for the Bobcats at home this season and drops them down to presumably last place in the Western division of the Southland Conference. Their next game is slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. against UT-Arlington. That game is to be played in Strahan Coliseum and can be heard on 89.9 KTSW and txstatebobcats.com.
Will McGinnis- KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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