SAN MARCOS, Texas – A career-best night of 21 points for Ja'Mia Harris propelled Texas State to a 69-58 win over the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Wednesday night.
 
In addition to Harris' 21, Jaylin Foster had 19 points while bringing down a team-best eight rebounds and notching four assists. The two and a 13-point night from Destiny Terrell helped the Bobcats to the win.
 
WHAT HEAD COACH ZENARAE ANTOINE SAID: "I'm really excited because the thought process this week is Graduate Week. For our graduate group it's really important that we finish strong for them… it's a celebration and an opportunity to celebrate them this week. Additionally, we need to understand what we to do to get better. We want to make a run and put ourselves in a good enough position to make that run in the conference tournament. I also like that we get an opportunity to win here at home, in front of our fans."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Texas State led for 37 minutes and 21 seconds of this game and that started on the first possession, getting the first basket. Harris scored two of her eventual 21 points to get things started for the Bobcats. From there, the team pushed out to a seven-point lead going into the media timeout. That leaded extended to as many as 11 off a Nicole Leff basket with 1:19 to go in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, Texas State held a 18-9 lead highlighted by 6-13 shooting as a team and six points from Terrell.
 
Louisiana battled back in the second quarter, though, outscoring Texas State 22-18. Erica Lafayette tallied nine points on her own for the Bobcats as they looked to adjust to the Ragin' Cajuns style of play. Foster had seven points of her own, but the Bobcats shot just 6-15 which gave Louisiana a little bit of an edge.
 
Texas State still led 36-31 at the halftime break, though, and came out in the third quarter with a game plan to battle with the Ragin' Cajuns.
 
Louisiana was able to draw the game level with 3:06 to play in the third quarter. Despite Texas State shooting 46.2%, Louisiana matched that with 53.8% of their own. The lead the Bobcats built in the first quarter helped them with the pressure from the Ragin' Cajuns, though, and headed into the fourth the Bobcats still held a lead.
 
Texas State did not back down in the fourth, though. Despite neither side finding a rhythm early on, the Bobcats were able to keep Louisiana largely from scoring. Then, a run late in the game, found the Bobcats extending their lead back out to double digits. After a technical foul and shooting foul gave the Bobcats a chance at four free-throws, all of which were made, they rode that momentum through the end of the game. At the end of the game, Texas State had matched their largest lead of the game, 11, to win 69-58.
 
Texas State is now 11-15 on the season and 5-10 in Sun Belt play.

STAT LEADERS

• Points – Ja'Mia Harris (21)
• Rebounds – Jaylin Foster (8)
• Assists – Jaylin Foster (4)

 
SCORES BY QUARTER
1st | Texas State 18, Louisiana 9
2nd | Texas State 18, Louisiana 22
3rd | Texas State 15, Louisiana 19
4th | Texas State 18, Louisiana 8

UP NEXT
Texas State will close out its regular season home slate against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on Feb. 22. That game will tip off at 2 pm with a stream on ESPN+. That game will be Graduate Night inside Strahan Arena as we honor the six players graduating the Bobcat basketball program this season. Fans can purchase tickets at txst.com/tickets.