ATLANTA, Ga. – The Texas State women's basketball team (14-7, 7-3 SBC) pulled away late to take down Georgia State (5-15, 1-8 SBC), 83-63, in a matinee matchup on Saturday afternoon inside the GSU Sports Arena.

The win gives the Bobcats its first weekend sweep of Sun Belt Conference opponents on the road since knocking off South Alabama (Feb. 4) and Troy (Feb. 7) in 2015. TXST has now won eight true road wins this season, the most since winning nine road games during the 2002-03. That team advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Southland Conference Tournament.

"We battled back in the second half," head coach Zenarae Antoine said. "Our offense fed off of the turnovers in the third quarter. I felt that we played with more energy, the girls had more fun in the second half. Obviously it was a special night for both Toshua and Taeler. They are special players and that was on full display tonight."

Using a 9-0 run in the first quarter, the Bobcats seized early momentum. During the brief 90-second run, Toshua Leavitt and Brooke Holle combined to knock down a trio of 3-pointers. However, the Panthers would not go away, rallying to end the quarter on a 12-4 extended run. The home team led after the first 10 minutes of action, 16-15.

Georgia State continued to befuddle the Texas State defense, pounding the ball in the paint. The Panthers surged out to a seven-point lead with one minute left in the first half. Leavitt provided instant offense for the Bobcats, knocking down two more 3-point attempts in the final minute of the second quarter. GSU carried a one-point lead into the halftime break, 36-35.

Needing a spark in the third quarter, the Bobcats turned to Leavitt once again. The junior guard canned four shots from beyond the arc, igniting TXST's offense. With the defense stretched out attempting to close off the 3-point line, Ti'Aira Pitts went to work in the paint. The senior forward scored seven of her 13 points in the third frame. For the second straight game, a huge third quarter pushed the Bobcats out in front. Texas State outscored Georgia State 23-15 in the quarter.

Leavitt was far from done. The sharpshooter scored 10 more points in the fourth, running her total 34 points, matching her career high. Leavitt also poured in 34 points in a loss to Coastal Carolina earlier this season. She buried 10-of-16 shot attempts from behind the 3-point line, tying her school record, also set against CCU. Her final 3-point attempt came 34 seconds left in the game on an assist from Taeler Deer.

The assists gave Deer 14 for the game, breaking a school record that had stood for over 30 seasons. The previous record was set by Rolish Goins. She handed out 13 helpers in a 93-87 win over McNeese State on Jan. 21, 1988. Deer also netted 19 points, giving the senior guard her second double-double in as many games. She has posted double-doubles in four games this season. Finally, assist no. 12 in the game pushed Deer past Ayriel Anderson (348 career assists) for second in school history. She trails only Shelly Borton on the all-time assist list.

The Bobcats are back home for a pair of games with Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State next week. TXST played both teams earlier this season, opening the Sun Belt Conference slate with a 69-54 victory over the Mountaineers. Two days later, the Bobcats fell at the hands of the Chanticleers, 65-64. CCU will be in town on Feb. 1 for a 5:30 tip. The game on Feb. 3 against App is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and will be the team's annual Pink Game.
 
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