Lubbock, Texas – The Texas State women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season with a 87-70 thumping over the Texas Tech Lady Raiders on Sunday afternoon at United Supermarkets Arena.
The Bobcats (1-0) forced the Lady Raiders (0-1) into 20 turnovers, giving Texas State a +13 advantage in the turnover differential. TXST was able to get off to a hot start from the floor and never looked back, making 34-of-65 shots (52.3 percent) for the game. Of the 34 made shots, 17 of them came via the assist as the Bobcats were patient and moved the ball, forcing the Tech defense to move from side-to-side. The strategy led to many defensive breakdowns from TTU that the Bobcats were able to exploit.
The victory was head coach
Zenarae Antoine's fifth win in seven season openers at the helm of Texas State. The game marks the first time in 14 tries that Texas State has conquered the Lady Raiders.
Taeler Deer had a career outing, leading the way for the Texas State win. Deer poured in 44 points, tied for the most points ever scored against the Lady Raiders, and the most ever scored in regulation. Carol Ann Shudlick of Minnesota also scored 44 against Tech in an overtime game played in Wichita State, Kan. on December 18, 1993. Deer eclipsed her career-best 32 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key in the third quarter. The Houston-native carried the Bobcat offense, connecting on 17-of-27 shots, both career highs, and dishing out eight dimes in the contest. The 39 minutes Deer played also established a new career high.
Brooke Holle was dynamic in her starting role for the Bobcats. Holle hit 7-of-11 shots from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, giving her a career-high 17 points. She was stout on the defensive end, matched against the Red Raiders top scorer from a season ago, Recee' Caldwell. The junior from Tech struggled to get her shot going, hitting on just 5-of-16 from the floor. Holle flustered her all afternoon and was able to collect four steals.
On the glass,
Ericka May continued her dominance. In a game in which the Bobcats were severely outmatched in terms of frontcourt size, May was a neutralizing force, ripping down 11 rebounds, nine defensive and two offensive, in the game. She registered three steals in 34 minutes of action.
Freshmen newcomers
Chania Wright and
Jayla Johnson both provided big moments off of the bench for the Bobcats. Wright made her collegiate debut after being inserted into the lineup in the third quarter. She made her presence felt almost immediately, knocking down a trio of jumpers on five attempts, including a 3-pointer right in front of the Bobcat bench, igniting the visiting bench. Wright finished with seven points. Johnson also connected on a three. Her made bucket came from the top of the key late in the fourth quarter, all but eliminating any hope of a Lady Raider comeback attempt.
In the first half,
Taeler Deer was virtually unstoppable. The senior lit up the Lady Raiders for 25 points in the first half, including 16 points in the first quarter. Deer connected on 10-of-13 shots and 2-of-4 from deep. Deer was able to get to the rim at will, creating for herself and her teammates.
Texas State will be on the road again on Wednesday, squaring off with Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Opening tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the McDermott Center.
