CONWAY, S.C. – Another close game for Texas State women's basketball went in their favor after a 20-point night from Ja'Niah Henson catapulted the Bobcats to a 52-49 win over Coastal Carolina on the road.
 
A strong first half with prolific three-point shooting was the edge for the Bobcats in the first half. While shooting 38.5% from the field, the Bobcats were 5-11 from three-point range. That, contrasted by Coastal Carolina's 0-5 three-point shooting gave the Bobcats a seven-point lead headed into the halftime break.
 
Henson played a big role in this game all the way through, but her 14 first-half and 4-7 three-point shooting were key. She led both teams in scoring on the night and her six made three-point attempts pushed the Bobcats into the win column.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: Henson got things started for the Bobcats with her first three-pointer right out of the gate. That started the 7-0 the Bobcats went on to take some momentum early. The Bobcats shot 5-16 in the first quarter while counting just one turnover. Limiting the number of possessions the Chanticleers got allowed the Bobcats to lead for all but 42 seconds of the opening quarter. After Henson hit a buzzer beater to make things 14-12 after the first quarter, it was about maintaining control of the game the rest the way for the Bobcats.
 
The Bobcats shot 50% in the second to help themselves to a 13-point quarter. With long possessions from both sides limiting the number of opportunities, the Bobcats were able to outscore the Chants 13-8. At the halftime break the Bobcats held a 27-20 lead.
 
The Chanticleers found some rhythm in their shooting in the third, going 6-8 from the field and knocking down two threes in the process. They outscored the Bobcats 15-12 in the second quarter, but the Bobcats controlled the rebounding and headed into the final quarter the Bobcats still held a lead. 
 
The final quarter became a chess match between the two sides. The Bobcats held the lead the entire way, but the Chants were trying to find a way to equalize or take a lead late. With the Bobcats leading 46-45, there was a chance for Coastal to claim the lead. After a Tiffany Tullis layup made things 48-45, though, it was just about finding a way to close out the game.
 
From there, Henson knocked down her sixth and final three of the night for the Bobcats to go up by six. Coastal countered with two quick buckets to make it a two-point game again, but when forced to foul the Bobcats, Tullis made one of her free throws to extend the lead to three. The Chants went to the line in the final seconds of the line, but after missing their first free throw attempt, they were forced to miss the second and try for the three. Gara Beth Self ultimately got the rebound off the free throw attempt to close out the game for the Bobcats, winning 52-49.
 
STAT LEADERS

• Points – Ja'Niah Henson (20)
• Rebounds – Tiffany Tullis, Morgan Hill (5)
• Assists – Sierra Dickson, Jaylin Foster, Kennedy Claybrooks (2)
• Steals –  Tiffany Tullis (3)
• Blocks – Morgan Hill (2)

 
SCORES BY QUARTER
1st | Texas State 14, Coastal Carolina 12
2nd | Texas State 13, Coastal Carolina 8
3rd | Texas State 12, Coastal Carolina 15
4th | Texas State 13, Coastal Carolina 14


GAME NOTES

• The Bobcats are now 12-12 on the season and 3-9 in conference play after the win against Coastal Carolina.
• This is the Bobcats' third road win in conference play and fifth road win of the season. 
• Ja'Niah Henson tied her career-high for 3-point field goals in a single game with six, a record set prior this season on Jan. 20, 2024 versus Arkansas State. Tonight was her fourth 20+ point game of the season.

UP NEXT
The 'Cats will go to Ohio for the Battle of the Bobcats for the second half of the MAC-SBC challenge. The Bobcats game against Ohio is Saturday, Feb. 10 at noon (CT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.