SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State (7-5, 0-1 SBC) fell in its league opener for the first time since joining the Sun Belt Conference to Little Rock, 78-66, on Thursday night at Strahan Arena. The Trojans (3-9, 1-0 SBC), who were picked to win the league in the preseason coaches' poll, ended the last 5:30 of the game on an 18-4 run.

"I have to be honest I'm disappointed in the outcome of this game," said Texas State head coach Zenarae Antoine. "More so because our team had the preparation, they needed to win the game, and we lacked execution within the game itself."

Senior guard Brooke Holle scored 14 of her season-high 22 points in the first half to help Texas State claim a 33-30 lead at halftime. An 8-2 edge in second chance points on nine offensive rebounds gave the Bobcats the edge at the break.

The Trojans stormed out the locker room to outscore Texas State 25-19 in the third quarter. Bobcats' junior guard Avionne Alexander hit a free throw with 7:01 left in the game to put TXST in front, 60-58, but that's the last advantage the Bobcats held. After the Alexander free throw, a 20-6 run by the Trojans blew the game open and the visitors led by as many as 15 points. Sophomore guard Kennedy Taylor connected on a buzzer-beating trey as time expired in the fourth period to make it a 12-point TXST loss.

Little Rock shot 11 more free throws than Texas State in the second half and connected on 58% (15-for-26) of its shots from the floor. LR operated its offense predominately through the post and only attempted six threes.

Sophomore center Jaeda Reed registered Texas State's first double-double of the season and scored 11 points with a career-best 11 rebounds. Taylor joined Brooke Holle and Reed in double-figures with 11 points and five assists. Taylor, who leads the Sun Belt in assists per game, entered the game averaging 4.9 per contest. Senior guard Bailey Holle knocked down both of her three-point field goal attempts and generated two steals.

The Trojans played a tight seven-player rotation and were led by freshman forward Alayzha Knapp's 20 points. Little Rock outrebounded Texas State 40-37 and had five players record six or more boards.

The Bobcats fell for the first time this season at Strahan Arena (6-1) and are now 6-12 all-time against Little Rock.
 

Up Next

Texas State hosts Arkansas State to conclude a three-game homestand at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.

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