SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State women's basketball team (1-1) defeated former Southland Conference foe Nicholls (0-3) by a count of 72-67 for the program's first win of the season Friday evening at Strahan Arena.

Senior guard Toshua Leavitt was one of three Bobcats to enter the box score in double-figures. She led the Cats with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. She connected on 6-of-12 shots from behind the 3-point line, marking the 11th time in her storied career that she has made at least six triples in a single game. On her second made 3-point field goal of the game, Leavitt slid into possession of second-place on the all-time Sun Belt Conference career 3-point record book. Now at 262 career makes, she trails Leslie Logsdon (Western Kentucky, '05) by just 16 for the all-time conference mark.

Junior guard Brooke Holle added 17 points and a team-high eight rebounds to the Bobcat line. She was 3-of-5 from behind the arc and did not miss in six chances from the charity stripe. Sophomore Jayla Johnson chipped in a career-best 12 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Her hustle and effort plays impacted the game on both ends of the floor for the Bobcats.

For the Colonels, senior guard Cassidy Barrios led the way with a double-double. The SLC preseason player of the year scored 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting and ripped down 11 boards. Sophomore guard Destiny Collins totaled 13 points in the loss.

Nicholls jumped on the Bobcats early in the contest and led by seven points as time wound down at the end of the first quarter. With 39 ticks left on the clock, Br. Holle drained a 3-pointer off an assist from Leavitt to cut the deficit to four points after 10 minutes of play.

Once again, Nicholls threw the first body blow of the second quarter, pouncing out to a 28-20 lead with 3:59 remaining in the first half. TXST was up to the task again, scoring nine of the final 12 points of the half to narrow the halftime score to 31-29.

The third quarter was a test of wills. The lead changed hands eight times and the teams were knotted five times. TXST continued to mount the comeback and trailed by a single point heading into the fourth and final frame.

After freshmen guards Kennedy Taylor and Ja'Kayla Bowie opened the fourth with TXST's first six points, Leavitt buried a deep 3-pointer to seize a four-point advantage. The Cats would not relinquish the lead despite a valiant effort from the Colonels. The lead shrunk to two points on a couple occasions but never closer. TXST held on for the 72-67 victory.

Up next, Texas State will face Montana State (2-1) in the second round of the preseason WNIT consolation bracket. The showdown between the two Bobcats will tip at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Strahan Arena.

For all things Texas State women's basketball, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.