COLUMBIA, Mo. – In a resilient fight to close out the non-conference schedule, the Texas State women's basketball team fell to No. 25 Missouri by a score of 82-56 Monday evening. The 'Cats were tied with the top-25 team with 12:27 to play in the game before the Tigers closed out on its game-clinching run.
 
How It Happened:
After an open lay-up in the first five seconds of the ball game by Missouri, Texas State answered with a 3-pointer by Raven Burns. The 'Cats proceeded to knock down three 3's in the first quarter as well as forcing seven Mizzou turnovers to result in four lead changes in the period. Just as Mizzou would take a lead over the visiting Bobcats, Texas State would respond.
 
With Mizzou starting with the ball in the second quarter, Texas State held the Tigers from scoring on its first possession before a steal by Ti'Aira Pitts on its next possession led to a Whitney Apari basket for the 'Cats third lead of the game at 17-16.
 
Apari's jumper sparked an 8-0 run for Texas State capped by a pair of free throws by Ericka May to put the 'Cats up 23-16. The seven-point deficit for the Tigers matched their highest deficit so far this season.
 
Mizzou quickly had an answer to the 'Cats run with a 3-pointer by Maddie Stock. Burns, who had a quick response in the 'Cats first possession of the game, answered the Tiger three with her second to put the Bobcats back up seven with 6:18 to play in the second.
 
The Tigers then produced a 10-2 run of its own to take a four-point, 34-30 halftime lead over Texas State.
 
The resiliency of the Texas State squad came alive once again in the third quarter as back-to-back three's by Kaitlin Walla in just over a minute to start the quarter quickly had the 'Cats back up one over the Tigers. With 2:27 to play in the third, the Bobcats and the Tigers shared their final tie at 47-47, the fifth of the game, before Mizzou would take ownership over the contest.
 
Mizzou would go on to outscore Texas State 27-8 in the final quarter of the play to improve to a program-best 12-0 record. Their ranking of No. 25 in the AP Poll on Monday was the first time since Jan. '06 that the Tigers landed in the rankings.
 
Texas State made nine 3-pointers at a clip of 39.1 percent while forcing 16 Mizzou turnovers. The Bobcats also recorded nine steals compared to eight by the Tigers.
 
Who Stood Out:
Kaitlin Walla continued to help lead Texas State offensively as she scored a team-high 18 points. This is the sixth time this season she has scored in double-digits and 15^th in her career. Ayriel Anderson finished the game with a season-high six assists for the 'Cats. Ericka May pulled down four rebounds for the Bobcats while collecting 10 points including a 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer in the middle of the third quarter.
 
What It Means:
Texas State finishes the 2015 non-conference slate with a 5-5 overall record. Under the direction of fifth year head coach Zenarae Antoine, Texas State has had four non-conference seasons with at least a .500 record or better. Texas State played three ranked opponents this non-conference season in Texas A&M, Duke, and Missouri.
 
Up Next:
Texas State will take nine days off before starting the 2015-16 conference campaign on Dec. 30 against Georgia Southern. The Bobcats will be at home for two straight before hitting the road again. Information on the game as well as the Texas State women's basketball team can be found at www.txstatebobcats.com.