University Star

She endured 74 losses over four seasons, but by the end of her Texas State career, senior guard Diamond Ford stood on top.

Ford, with 1,920 career points, moved into second place all-time at Texas State and broke the single-season scoring record by 11 points, with 644 points during the 2012-2013 season.

“I’m proud of myself to make that (scoring record) accomplishment,” Ford said. “I just wanted to come out hard for my team and try to get past the first round because I know this will be my last go-around. It’s been a great journey since I came to Texas State.”

Ford led the team in scoring against Denver, putting up 27 points, collecting her 20th 20-point game on the season. Ford led the WAC in scoring, averaging 21.5 points per game, placing her 10th nationally.

The women’s basketball season came to a close last Tuesday after a first round elimination by the University of Denver Pioneers at the WAC tournament, 73-63.

Texas State finished the season with an overall 10-20 record, going 4-14 in conference. The team is tied for last place in the conference standings with UT-Arlington. This season was the Bobcats’ first performing against WAC competition. Texas State will be transitioning to the Sun Belt conference next year. 

Texas State led throughout most of the first half against Denver, with the Pioneers going into halftime with a slight lead, 33-32. Denver went on a quick 7-2 scoring run at the start of the second half and never surrendered the lead. The Bobcats managed to cut the deficit to 4 with 5:11 left in the game, but the Pioneers outscored Texas State 10-4 in the final 5 minutes. Denver shot 60.7 percent from the field during the second half, going 17-28 from the floor.

“This definitely was a tough loss,” said Coach Zenarae Antoine. “I feel like the team came in prepared. (There was) great effort from us in the first half, but I guess in the second we just fell up short. I think there were times where we could’ve made layups and didn’t. If we continue to get those good looks, and the shots aren’t falling, with our limited bench, (it) just makes it tougher for us.”

Junior Ashley Ezeh averaged 15.2 points per game, sixth in the WAC. Ezeh further occupied the WAC in rebounding, averaging 9.0 boards per game, placing her fourth. Ezeh suffered a knee injury during the 15th game of the season against Louisiana Tech, causing her to miss the next eight games. In her absence, Freshman Erin Peoples provided assistance, nearly averaging a double-double during those games with 9.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.

“I think we matured as a team this year,” Ezeh said. “I think we communicated more effectively with one another. Instead of focusing on what we didn’t have during the season, we tried to keep perspective, figuring out what we did have and working with it. Although we’re going to miss (Ford’s) scoring abilities, we’re going to have more of a post-presence and a deeper bench to work with next year.”

Seniors on the team included Ford, guard Bree Dawson and Morgan Passino.