SAN MARCOS, Texas – In a high intensity, emotionally draining game, the Texas State women's basketball team defeated the UTSA Roadrunners by a score of 72-64 Thursday evening at Strahan Coliseum.
 
Sophomore Taeler Deer led the 'Cats with 27 points, marking the second 20+ game this season for her. Ericka May was a rebounding force for Texas State as she pulled down a career-high 14 boards.


 
How It Happened:
After UTSA took a 6-2 lead early in the first half, Texas State put together a 14-5 run to take a five point advantage. That run was highlighted with four three pointers, which helped set the tone for the remainder of the contest.
 
Texas State finished the first quarter with five made three's at a clip of 62.5 percent. The fifth three of the period proved to be a statement three as Toshua Leavitt drained it as time expired.
 
The Bobcats continued to build upon their lead over the Roadrunners throughout the second quarter. Texas State would go up by as many as 11 in just the first couple of minutes of the period with help from a three by Kaitlin Walla and a pair of baskets by Ericka May and Whitney Apari.
 
As with all rivalry games, the Roadrunners were far from out of the contest. After taking an 11-point lead, the Bobcats let UTSA come within five with 4:53 to play. Before the end of the first half, the Bobcat lead dwindled to just two with 2:26 to play as UTSA's Kasia Kiejdrowska drained a three-pointer. Five of May's seven points came in the final minute and a half of the first half including a three at the buzzer to put the 'Cats back up nine.
 
With a balanced third quarter offensively, it all came down to the Bobcats holding on to their lead in the fourth. UTSA stormed out of the gates in the final period by producing an 8-0 to tie up the game at 56-all.
 
Texas State had an answer and managed to build its lead back up to as many as eight after a pair of free throws by Deer with 3:30 to play.
 
The Bobcats final eight points of the game all came from the charity stripe as UTSA was in desperation mode trying to force Texas State to miss. Walla put the icing on the cake by draining a pair from the stripe with 11 second to play.
 
Who Stood Out:
Ericka May led the 'Cats with a career-high 14 rebounds. The Bobcats ultimately won the rebounding battle, 41-38, over UTSA. Taeler Deer had her second, 20+ point game of the season as she led the Bobcats with 27 points. Toshua Leavitt continued to be a force outside the three-point line. Leavitt finished with three made three's and 11 points, making that the fourth consecutive game with at least two made. Kaitlin Walla also drained three, three-pointers for Texas State and finished with 11 points. As a whole, the 'Cats drained 12 three-pointers, tying the season-high set against Iowa State which is also just two away from the school-record.
 
What It Means:
Texas State improves to 3-4 on the year and has now won the last two I-35 rivalry games against UTSA. The 'Cats are a perfect 3-0 at home this season with victories over the Roadrunners, North Texas, and St. Edward's.
 
Up Next:
Texas State will have one more non-conference home game before hitting the road for two games before the break. The Bobcats will welcome Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 13 at Strahan Coliseum. Tip-off against the Lions is scheduled for 4 p.m. Live stats, live video, and live audio will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.