COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The size of the No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies proved to be too much Friday evening as the Texas State women's basketball team fell in the season opener by a score of 87-50. The defeat marks the first loss in a season opener since head coach Zenarae Antoine has been at the helm of the Bobcat program.
 
With ball handling struggles early on the in the contest, the Bobcats collected themselves and outscored the Aggies, 18-16, in the final 10 minutes of play with Aggie starters remaining in the game. The Bobcats shot 7-for-11 from the field in the fourth quarter and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
 
"What I appreciate about the game is that the team was able to step up there toward the end and show poise," stated Antoine. "One thing I was clear about going into the fourth quarter is to win the next quarter and continue to go with our principles of what we've been preaching."
 
Texas A&M took an early lead over the Bobcats and capitalized on Texas State turnovers throughout the evening. In the first half, Texas State recorded 16 turnovers of which the Aggies converted into 16 points. Texas State improved in the second half of play with just eight turnovers, seven of which were in the third quarter.
 
Two freshman, Toshua Leavitt and Devin Gray, had impactful games for their first collegiate contests as combined they made four of the Bobcats eight made three-pointers. Leavitt finished the game with six points, three boards, three assists and just one turnover. Gray came in in the fourth quarter and in just nine minutes of play, the Wellington, Fla. native went 2-for-3 from the floor and a perfect 2-for-2 from long range.
 
Taeler Deer and Kaitlin Walla led the Bobcats Friday evening with seven points apiece. Walla, in her first game back since December 2014, went 3-for-7 from the floor with three rebounds in 20 minutes of play.
 
Freshman Kiani Lurry and sophomore Ericka May led Texas State with six boards apiece.  
 
Texas A&M outrebounded the Bobcats, 48-36, and finished the game with 50 points in the paint. Texas State held the Aggies to just three made three's all contest of which all belonged to freshman Danni Williams.
 
The Bobcats will now return to Strahan Coliseum for a Sunday afternoon match-up against Division II foe St. Edwards. Tip-off against the Hilltoppers is scheduled for 2 p.m. For live stats, live audio, and live streaming, go online to the official website of Texas State Athletics, www.txstatebobcats.com.