Turnover Bug Bites Bobcats in Season Opening Loss

By Reed Graff
Assistant Sports Director

The Texas State women’s basketball team are off to an unfortunate start to kick off their 2018-2019 campaign. The Bobcats came up short on the road against the New Mexico Lobos in “The Pit,” losing 82-51. The game was not only game one of the season, but the first round of the Women’s Pre-Season NIT Tournament.

After taking an early four-point lead, it looked as if the Bobcats had what it would take to run away with the game. Texas State held a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, and it seemed to be the beginning of what would be a well fought basketball game. New Mexico fought back in the second quarter and took a 29-27 lead going into half, setting up an exciting finish.

The second half would be all Lobos however. A 53-point second half distanced the home team from the Bobcats and the margin of victory quickly began to swell. The young Bobcats committed 24 turnovers, and outside of senior Toshua Leavitt, struggled to get consistent offense.

The young Bobcat squad had five players make their Texas State debut. Not surprisingly however, it was returning senior Leavitt who stepped up late in the game. Leavitt went 5-16 from the floor, scoring 18 points, which was a game high. Juniors Brooke and Bailey Holle both finished with five points. Junior Jazza Johns recorded six points and six rebounds. Sophomore Jayla Johnson led the Bobcats in rebounding with seven. As a team, the Bobcats shot 29 percent from the field, and 33 percent from three.

The Bobcats will await the announcement of their next opponent and will be off until Nov. 16 when they play in the consolation rounds of the Women’s NIT tournament.

Featured image by Justin Manor.