SAN MARCOS, Texas – Despite a slow offensive start, the Texas State women's basketball team (3-2) responded in the third quarter to outscore New Orleans (2-3) by 10-points in the period and held on to defeat the Privateers, 51-49. Sophomore guard Kennedy Taylor scored 12 points to lead the team and posted eight crucial points in the second half to help the Bobcats remain perfect inside Strahan Arena.
"What a toughly battled game it was toward the end. I can't tell you it was the perfect game as far as taking care of the basketball and finishing," said Texas State head coach Zenarae Antoine. "We fought all the way toward the end which is really important. We did a great job executing after halftime and had to find some mental toughness and win loose balls."
Both teams struggled offensively from the tip and each shot 20% in the first period. UNO led 10-8 after the first and outscored Texas State by one in the second period to claim a 21-18 lead at the half.
The Bobcats found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter and went 7-for-14 from the floor and outscored the Privateers, 17-7. Taylor dropped eight of her 12 points in the quarter and was 3-for-4 from the field. Junior guard Avionne Alexander converted an old fashioned three-point play and senior guard Bailey Holle drained a three to help the cause. The Bobcat defense was stout and held UNO to 12.5% (2-for-16) from the field and forced six turnovers.
The resilient Privateers attempted to comeback in the fourth quarter and scored 21 points, the highest by either team in any period, but Texas State made big plays when it needed to. With Texas State up by three points and 15 seconds remaining senior guard Brooke Holle generated a turnover and spilt her free throws to put the Bobcats up by four, 50-46. UNO's Vaquela Pimpton came down the floor and hit a three to cut it to one and Brooke Holle again split her free throws to put the Bobcats up by two. The defense held on with nine seconds left and pressured New Orleans into a poor look from beyond the arc to seal the win.
Junior forward Lillie Moore registered a career-high eight points and seven boards off the bench and had critical plays down the stretch. Texas State, which has turned opponents over to a tune of 22.5 per game, flustered UNO into 24. Both teams combined for 46 turnovers.
Texas State shot 40% (18-for-45) from the floor, 28% from three (3-for-14) and 57% (12-for-21) from the foul line). TXST limited New Orleans to a season-low 28.8% (17-for-59) from the floor, 33% from downtown (4-for-12) and 69% (11-for-16) at the charity stripe.
UNO out-rebounded Texas State 40-31 and hauled in 16 offensive boards. The Privateers led in points off turnovers (15-14), points in the paint (22-16), second chance points (6-0) and bench scoring (27-23), while the Bobcats held a slight edge in fast break points (9-4).
Dionjhae Thomas led all scorers with 13 points for New Orleans.
Up Next
Texas State hosts another Southland Conference foe as it welcomes Texas A&M – Corpus Christi at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 inside Strahan Arena. Bobcat fans can take advantage of a doubleheader as the Texas State men's basketball team takes on Hartford at 4:30 p.m.
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