Texas State Women’s Basketball Falls Short Against Georgia Southern

By Mallory Mitchell  

KTSW Sports Reporter 

SAN MARCOS, Texas- The Texas State Bobcats fell 61-57 to Georgia Southern on Wednesday night in a Pink Out matchup at Strahan Arena, mounting a second-half comeback that came up just short. 

The game started with the Eagles winning the tip-off and taking a 9-point lead at the end of the first quarter, with the Bobcats struggling with fouls holding them back.  

Forward Kyra Anderson with the Bobcats anchored them defensively in the first half, recording 4 rebounds and helping slow down the Eagles’ momentum. Kyla McBride, also with the Bobcats, was taken out halfway through the 2nd due to foul trouble.  

Texas State’s Deja Jones secured a lay-up with a little over 2 minutes left in the 2nd, making the score a 10-point game, 25-35.  

Georgia Southern’s defense limited Texas State’s scoring opportunities early, while efficient free-throw shooting helped the Eagles control the pace. 

The Eagles led by 14 points going into halftime.  

The game flipped after halftime, and the Bobcats came out harder and stronger in the second half. Texas State’s Saniya Burks spoke about what happened in the locker room during halftime, bringing them more energy. “Seeing us on film and making the small adjustments.”  

Anderson started the 3rd quarter strong for the Bobcats with a layup. Burks also dominated in the second half with an 8-0 run by herself. This set the stage for the Bobcats to come back, putting the score at 39-45.  

Texas State ended the 3rd quarter, trailing the Eagles by 5 with a score of 43-48. 

The 4th opened with both teams trading baskets as the Bobcats continued to apply pressure. Kayla Cleaveland fought for the rebound and got a layup in the 4th, keeping the Eagles in the lead. The Bobcats secured many points in this quarter, though, making the game closer. 

With 22 seconds left in the 4th KP Parr drove to the basket for an and-one layup, cutting the deficit to 58-56. The Eagles responded at the free-throw line, edging the Bobcats 13-14 in the final quarter to secure the 61-57 win. 

Head coach Zenarae Antoine said the focus moving forward will be discipline and execution.  

“They know we’re going to hit the film. They already know they’re going to watch these turnovers, and we’re going to be shooting a lot of free throws. So that’s going to be important.”  

Antoine also said she wants to see that same intensity carry over into next game. “I just want to see [that] fight, right? I’m just going to see that grittiness we add and taking that with us on the road.” 

The Bobcats take on Northern Illinois this Saturday at 1 p.m. in DeKalb, Illinois. The Northern Illinois Huskies have a 4-16 record this season.