Dukes Down Bobcats

By Daven Meredith
Sports Reporter

Texas State Forward Da’Nasia Hood scored a team-high, 18 points, despite the team’s 54-58 loss to James Maddison during a Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball game at the University Event Center.

Hood connected on 6 out of 19 shots from the field, while also shooting 4 out of 6 from the free throw line. Ja’Kayla Bowie shot 5 out of 11 for 13 points from the field, while tacking four defensive rebounds for the night.

The loss drops Texas State’s record to 18-8 overall and 10-5 in Sun Belt play. The win improves James Maddison to 21-6 overall and 11-4 in conference play.

Texas State coach Zenarae Antoine said the team “had plenty of opportunities,” but the low shooting percentage in the last two quarters cost them the game.

“When you shoot under 30 percent in the third and fourth quarter, you are putting yourself in a tough situation,” said Antoine. “As far as us being able to knock those shots down, that’s what we needed to do in those two quarters in the second half, and we struggled to do so.”

Texas State connected on 19-of-64 shots attempted at the field (29.7 percent), with seven of the shots made coming in the first quarter.

“There are a few times I thought we took some quick shots,” said Antoine. “I like some of the shots we got. We just got to knock them down.”

When shots aren’t falling in, Antoine stated, “You have to keep the player’s confidence up.” Especially when they take the right shots.

“Some of the shots were rushed, but keep shooting,” said Antoine. “You want to keep their confidence high. You only say to move the ball to a better shot.”

The Bobcats were tied 50 a piece midway through the fourth quarter, only to have Dukes pull away late in the fourth. Texas State went 10-of-15 overall (66.7) from the free-throw line. Antoine said the team left points at the line that they could have used down the stretch.

“Finish at the free throw line,” said Antoine. “We left five free throws out there. I think that makes a difference.”

The loss breaks Texas State’s three-game winning streak. The Bobcats look to bounce back at their last home game of the regular season this Saturday against South Alabama at 2 p.m., where you can listen on KTSW 89.9!

Featured Image from Daven Meredith