University Star

The Bobcat women’s basketball team will look to beat Utah State University and San Jose State University this weekend as senior guard Diamond Ford sets her sights on breaking the school’s season-scoring record.

Ford is 57 points away from breaking the school’s season-scoring record. She totaled 58 points in the previous matchups against the Aggies and Spartans, with a season-high 40 against San Jose State. Carlotta Fisbeck holds the record scoring 633 points, a title that has been intact for 43 years. 

Ford is the 13th player at Texas State to collect more than 1,000 career points. The guard finished with 572 points last season, which accounted for fourth best in school history. Ford ranks 10th in the nation in points per game, averaging 21.4 points this season and has 577 points this year.

 “I’m really proud of myself for the things I’ve accomplished this season,” Ford said. “When I go into games, I just try and come out and play hard and help my team win. I just don’t think about my points all the time. When people try and guard defensively, and face guard me, I don’t let people take me out of my game. I try to stay focused and keep my mentality to where I’m not trying to do everything, but (I) know my teammates are going to help me find a way to score.”

The Bobcats will play the Aggies at Strahan Coliseum on Thursday, winners of 10 out of their last 11 games. Utah State is second in the WAC with a 13-3 record.

The Aggies average 76.8 points per contest, seventh best in the nation. Utah State averages a national fifth ranked 12.9 steals per contest. Three players on the Aggies’ team are ranked in the WAC Top 10 for steals. 

The last time Utah State and Texas State squared off, the Aggies jumped out to a 15-0 lead. Utah State led by double-digits throughout the game, winning 82-69.

Senior Jenna Johnson and freshman Makenlee Williams tallied double-doubles in the meeting. Johnson finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Williams managed 14 points and 12 rebounds. Texas State’s bench was outscored by a 25-10 margin.

“We prepared on offense and defense for (Utah State),” said junior guard Jasmine Baugus. “We worked on taking care of the ball, being patient on offense and on defense, just scrabbling and being able to close out and help each other out. We worked a lot on communicating, really.”

The Bobcats battle San Jose State on Saturday. Texas State lost by 2 points in its previous encounter with the Spartans on the road.

The score was tied at 96 when junior guard Kaylan Martin committed a foul with 9 seconds remaining, sending San Jose State to the line. Guard Chereese Thomas knocked down both of her free throws. A failed last-second shot attempt by Ford decided the outcome, 98-96.

Sophomore guard Ta’Rea Cunnigan scored 30 points in the game. Cunnigan is second behind Ford in points per game averaging 20.2 points. The Bobcats allowed 50 points in the paint against the Spartans.

“The expectation level this game against (San Jose State) is that we’re going to do a better job defensively,” said Coach Zenarae Antoine. “We have to find a way to get (Cunnigan) stopped. We’re not going to stop her completely, but limiting her opportunities, forcing her into tough shots, is going to be really important for us.”

Antoine said it would be “beautiful” if Diamond scored another 40 points.

The Bobcats will have Senior Day on March 9 when they take on the Spartans. Guard Bree Dawson, forward Morgan Passino and Ford will be the three seniors on the team to be recognized.