November 14th, 2009
Bobcats roll in women's hoop opener

STAFF REPORT

An easy win marked the start of a new season for the Texas State women’s basketball team Friday night. The Bobcats prevailed, 100-42, at Strahan Coliseum against Texas College in a game that was over almost at the moment when it began.

The Bobcats went ahead 24-8 barely more than ten minutes into this game, and it never got any tougher.

After holding Texas College to 31 percent shooting (nine of 29) in the first half, the Bobcats shut Texas College down to 18.8 percent shooting (six of 32) in the second half. The Bobcats killed Texas College on the boards throughout the night, finishing with a 49-30 rebounding advantage.

If the Bobcats can be faulted, their 50.6 percent shooting (39 of 77) was somewhat offset by their 20 turnovers. But they forced 27 turnovers, in part by making 10 steals.

Kelsey Krupa led the Bobcats with 16 points, while four others finished in double figures.

The Bobcats are now 1-0 and will move on to face Louisiana-Monroe Tuesday night at home. The tip is set for 7 p.m. in Strahan Coliseum. Texas College fell to 0-3.

“I think our team really got after it tonight,” said Texas State coach Suzanne Fox. “Texas College came out and fought hard, but we stuck with them from the very beginning and ultimately just fought harder for the win.”

The Bobcats opened the second half much like the first, with Aimee Hilburn first in the paint for two points. Later, a 15-6 run put Texas State up 63-27, putting the game out of reach for the Steers.

Hilburn finished the night with 13 points, while Chika Ofoegbu, Tammara Evans-Sluga and newcomer Anna Brzozowski each finished with 12 points. Davis pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

“To win multiple games and eventually a championship, you can’t count on just one person,” said Fox. “We saw tonight that we don’t have one scorer. We have a lot and it is great to have so much depth on the team.”