SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State women's basketball team regained its footing with help from its seniors Thursday night as it pulled away with a 87-76 victory against Appalachian State at Strahan Coliseum. Raven Burns and Ayriel Anderson combined for 40 points to help the 'Cats snap a four-game losing skid.
 
How It Happened:
After finding itself in a 9-2 hole in the first four minutes of the game, Texas State produced a 12-4 run capped by an Ayriel Anderson jumper to tie the contest at 13-13 with 2:38 to play in the first. Through the heart of the first quarter, the Bobcats used full court pressure that ultimately forced seven turnovers by the Mountaineers.
 
Six-straight points to close out the first quarter by Whitney Apari, Anderson, and Kaitlin Walla lifted Texas State to a 19-15 advantage at the first break.
 
Texas State added to its lead by one after the second quarter, but it was the third quarter that propelled the Bobcats ahead of the Mountaineers.
 
The Bobcats recorded a season-high 31 points in the third quarter, a quarter that featured an 11-for-17 shooting effort from the floor and five 3's, two of which each belonged to Raven Burns and Ayriel Anderson.
 
Three of the five 3's in the third quarter fell in the span of just under two minutes to give Texas State a 16-point lead over the Mountaineers. Both of Anderson's 3's came within a minute and a half of each other.
 
In the third, Texas State took advantage of the three Mountaineer turnovers by converting seven points off of them. The Bobcats also outscored Appalachian State in second chance points as the 'Cats pulled down three offensive boards. In all, Texas State won the third quarter rebounding battle, 11-7.
 
Foul trouble in the fourth quarter by both teams put Appalachian State in a position to battle back against the Bobcats. Full court pressure much like the Bobcats applied in the first quarter along with 18 trips to the charity stripe lifted the Mountaineers to a 24-point fourth quarter. With 2:27 to play in the game, Appalachian State cut the Bobcats lead down to eight, the lowest since the start of the third.
 
Texas State held strong despite the fourth quarter surge by Appalachian by never letting its lead dwindle to any less than eight. Six of the final eight points scored by Texas State came at the foul line.
 
Who Stood Out: Seniors Raven Burns and Ayriel Anderson led the Bobcats in scoring as they combined for 40 points … Burns finished with a career-high 21 points with five 3's while Anderson finished with a season-high 19 and three made 3's … Whitney Apari also had a career-night for the Bobcats as she finished with 12 points … Ericka May led the Bobcats with 12 rebounds … Anderson also finished the night with nine assists, a mark that matches her career-high set against Arkansas State in 2014 … Texas State finished with a season-high six blocks, two each belonged to Taeler Deer and Ericka May … the 87 points scored tonight by Texas State marked a season-high.
 
What It Means: The Bobcats snap a four-game losing streak and improve to 11-12 overall and 6-7 in Sun Belt Conference play. Texas State also improves to 8-3 at home and the victory forces a season split against the Mountaineers. Since Appalachian State joined the conference in 2014, the home team has always won this match-up.
 
Up Next: The Bobcats will take Saturday off before remaining at home next week with a pair of games against UL Monroe and UL Lafayette. Tip-off against UL Monroe next Thursday evening is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Strahan Coliseum. Live stats, live audio, and live video will be available at www.txstatebobcats.com.