University Star

Diamond Ford, senior guard, leaps to make a basket Feb. 9 at the Strahan Coliseum. The Bobcats won 68-63 against Louisiana Tech.

The women’s basketball team’s weekend was not without drama following a victory over fourth-in-the-WAC Louisiana Tech University and an overtime loss to the University of Texas-Arlington.

The Bobcats’ loss to UTA came on a layup in the final seconds of play, dropping the contest 73-72. It was the team’s fifth loss in the last six games, and senior guard Diamond Ford said it was “frustrating.”

Senior guard Diamond Ford scored 10 of the Bobcats’ first 12 points against UTA on Thursday. The Bobcats finished the first half shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 5-10 from 3-point range. The last time Texas State shot 45 percent or higher from the field was in December against the University of Texas-El Paso. The Bobcats led with a score of 40-30 at halftime.

The Bobcats’ shooting proficiency dropped dramatically in the second half, declining to 30 percent. UTA went on an 11-3 run 5 minutes into the second half, tying the game at 50 for each. The teams exchanged the lead 12 times after the Mavericks tied the score. Ford ended with a game-high 26 points.

Freshman Erin Peoples grabbed a rebound after a missed layup attempt by UTA’s Aron Garcia, with 1:49 to play in the second half and Texas State trailing 63-62. Freshman guard Ayriel Anderson proceeded down the court, pushing the ball through the defensive traffic of UTA. Anderson’s attempt at a layup was unsuccessful. However, junior guard Jasmine Baugus, who had nine rebounds and 7 points in the game, snatched the offensive board and was then fouled. The foul gave her a chance to tie or take the lead at the free-throw line.

Baugus made one of two free-throw attempts, tying the game at 63 with 1:32 remaining in the second half. Peoples made a layup with 17 seconds left in the game to give the Bobcats a 2-point edge. UTA tied the score at 65 with 9 seconds to go. Ford’s half-court miss before the buzzer sent Texas State to overtime for the second time this season.

Texas State grabbed a 72-71 lead with 28 seconds left in overtime. Chauntandr Williams took the last shot for the Mavericks, making a heavily contested layup high off the top of the glass, giving the Mavericks a 73-72 lead. Anderson’s final 3-point attempt was unsuccessful.

“I, in no way, shape or form, like losing to UT-Arlington.” said Coach Zenarae Antoine. “To be honest, I am very upset in losing this particular game. Not because of (UTA’s) record, but because we had such a great start.”

The Bobcats’ next challenge was against the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, who came into the game 7-4 in conference. Texas State won 68-63 against the Techsters, coached by former Olympian and WNBA player Teresa Weatherspoon.

“I felt like we matched up well against them,” Baugus said. “Me and Erin really matched up well against them. I took more shots. I was more patient, but if (I) didn’t have the shot, (I) just know to kick it out.”

Texas State came out shooting during the first half, hitting 40.6 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Six players made 3 pointers in the first half. Louisiana Tech sophomore guard Kelia Shelton was active offensively, tallying up a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The Bobcats built an 11-point lead to end 35-24 in the first half.

The Techsters cut the deficit to one in the second half, 61-60, with 1:02 remaining. Texas State was able to hold the lead hitting five free throws down the stretch.

“It feels real good, especially playing two whole halves,” said junior guard Kaylan Martin. “It was definitely a battle the whole game.”