February 1st, 2011
Bobcats beat UTA, win second straight

STAFF REPORT

Diamond Ford double-doubled for the second straight game, leading Texas State to a 61-57 win against Texas-Arlington (UTA) Saturday at Strahan Coliseum.

The Bobcats shot only 29 percent (20 of 69) and survived a 21-0 run by UTA to gather their second straight win. They improved to 7-12 overall and 2-4 in the Southland Conference. UTA is 5-13 and 2-4.

Texas State shot off to a 35-14 halftime lead, despite making only 11 of 38 (28.9 percent) first-half shots. UTA shot even worse in the first half, 21.7 percent (five for 23).

On a night of poor shooting for both teams, Texas State distinguished itself by rebounding. The Bobcats won UTA’s offensive board, 28-7. They also won their own offensive board, 28-27.

The Bobcats only led by 12-8 with 11:16 in the first half, then went off on a 14-0 tear in the next seven minutes. Five different Texas State players scored during the run, led by Anna Brzozowski’s six points. A subsequent 9-2 spurt for the Bobcats made it 35-12 with 43 seconds left in the first half.

UTA rallied in the second half with 48.4 percent shooting (15 of 31). The Bobcats were only nine for 31 (29 percent) in the second half.

The Bobcats held their largest lead at 48-22 with 15:37 left. UTA then made six of its next seven shots and cut the lead to 48-3 with 10:52 left. Before Texas State scored again, UTA made four free throws and a three-pointer, cutting the lead to 48-43 with 8:35 left.

UTA’s rally didn’t end with that 21-0 run. The Mavericks brought it all the way back to a tie at 55-55, when Shalyn Martin made a jumper with 3:34 left.

But after Demi Clinch made a layup for Texas State, giving the Bobcats a 57-55 lead with 3:12 left, a lid suddenly formed around the rim for UTA, which missed its next four shots. The Bobcats salted it away with four free throws by Ford in the last minute.

Ford led the Bobcats with 17 points and 12 rebounds. She was five-for-20 from the floor, including one of eight from three-point range, but she also made all six of her free throw attempts. Chika Ofoegbu added 13 rebounds for Texas State to go with her nine points. UTA’s Martin led all scorers with 22 points.

The Bobcats will play Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Wednesday at Strahan Coliseum (5:30 p.m.). The men’s basketball game between Texas State and SFA will take place at Strahan Coliseum following the women’s game.