HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Saniya Burks recorded her second-consecutive 20-point game in the Bobcats 86-77 loss to Southern Miss on Saturday night. She was one of four Bobcats in double-digits, alongside Taleiyah Gibbs (14), Kyra Anderson (11) and Deja Jones (11).
 
Texas State dominated paint points with 46 to Southern Miss's 28, while the Bobcat bench also outscored the home side 26-11. Texas State battled throughout, falling short of the comeback despite having a one-possession game in the final three minutes of the game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Golden Eagles three-point shooting made the difference in the early going of the game. Despite Texas State out-shooting Southern Miss 47.1% to 42.1% in the first quarter, Texas State was 0-2 from three while Southern Miss went 4-5. That made the difference in the first quarter, with both teams tallying eight field goals. Texas State was trailing 22-16 after the first quarter despite outshooting and outrebounding the Golden Eagles.
 
The same remained true in the second quarter that the Bobcats outshot the Golden Eagles percentage wise, but the Bobcats were unable to make any progress on their deficit from the first quarter. Despite both teams struggling at the free-throw line, the Golden Eagles three-point shooting again helped keep the Bobcats at bay. At the half, Texas State trailed 40-31.
 
The third quarter became a free throw battled, with Southern Miss going 14-15 from the line. Texas State shot 57.1% from the field, but their 22 points only accounted for five from the free throw line. Southern Miss struggled to shoot from the field in the third but made up for it with their success shooting free throws. Despite shooting just 289.6% from the field, Southern Miss still led by 10 after the third quarter.
 
Texas State battled the whole way through the fourth, even outscoring Southern Miss 24-23. The Bobcats had the game within two at one point even following two Burks free throws. Despite that, though, the Bobcats were forced to foul late in the game to buy time, and 11-14 free throw shooting helped the Golden Eagles hold onto their lead to the end. Texas State ended up falling short of the comeback, losing 86-77.
 
After today's loss at Southern Miss, Texas State is now 11-14 on the season and remains 7-7 in Sun Belt.

STAT LEADERS

• Points – Saniya Burks (22)
• Rebounds – Angela Carroll, Kyra Anderon (8)
• Assists – Deja Jones (3)

 
SCORES BY QUARTER
1st | Texas State 16, Southern Miss 22
2nd | Texas State 15, Southern Miss 18
3rd | Texas State 22, Southern Miss 23
4th | Texas State 24, Southern Miss 23

UP NEXT
Texas State will return home for the final two home games of the regular season on Feb. 18 vs Arkansas State and Feb. 21 vs South Alabama. All the Bobcats' games are streamed on ESPN+ and fans can purchase tickets for home games at txst.com/tickets.