February 10th, 2008
Women regain first in Southland Conference basketball

By MICHAEL WRIGHT
Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS – The game to decide first place in the Southland Conference women’s basketball standings between Texas State (14-8, 8-1) and Texas-Arlington (12-8, 7-2) lived up to its expectations. Both teams were evenly matched and the game was decided by only 4 points as the Bobcats from Texas State came away with a 63-59 victory at Strahan Coliseum on Saturday. With the win, the `Cats are now the top team in the West Division with an 8-1 record. The Mavericks from Texas-Arlington drop to 3rd place with a 7-2 conference record. Texas San-Antonio beat Sam Houston 72-48 on Saturday to make their record 7-1. Previous to this game both Texas States and UTA’s only conference loss was to UTSA. Texas State now has a 10-1 home record as they snapped a four game losing streak against the Mavs. The Bobcats now hold a 30-20 all time series record with the win, which was the 50th meeting between the two teams.

The first half was very low scoring as the two teams only made 22 of 60 shots for the half. Texas State took the biggest lead of the half 20-14 when Ryann Bradford connected on a jumper with 6:45 left until halftime. The Mavs chipped away at the lead and after scoring the last 4 points of the half led Texas State 29-26 at intermission. The Bobcats shot 31.3% from the field including going only 3 of 10 from the 3 point line.

Joyce Ekworomadu quickly tied the game up at 29 just 47 seconds into the 2nd half and went on to score the Bobcats first 10 points of the half. Texas State took a 38-32 lead at the 15:24 mark when Kim Cessna scored on a layup. The Bobcat lead went down to only 2 points three separate times and led 44-42 with 8:25 remaining. The `Cats made their run at that point and outscored the Mavs 15-4 over the next 4 minutes and 16 seconds to extend their lead to 13 points (59-46) after Ekworomadu hit on 2 free throws. The Bobcats still led 61-50 with 2:32 left when Texas-Arlington made it interesting. The Mavs went on a 9-0 run to bring the Texas State lead down to only 2 points (61-59) with only 13 seconds left. Ekworomadu was fouled on the inbound pass and she made both of her free throws to make it a 2 possession game with a 63-59 lead. Texas-Arlington then turned the ball over to end the game.

Ekworomadu scored 17 points in the second half and finished with 20 to lead the Bobcats to victory. Ashley Cole finished with 11 points while Victoria Davis and Aimee Hillburn both had 7 points and 7 rebounds each. Brooke DeGrate had 5 assist and 5 steals. Texas State made 5 of 9 from 3 point range in the 2nd half while Texas-Arlington only made 1 of 6 to finish 1 of 10 for the game. Both teams did very well from the free throw line. The Bobcats made 13 of 17 (76.5%) for the game while the Mavericks mad an amazing 16 of 17 (94.1%).

Texas State’s next game will be the last of their five-game home stand against McNeese State February 14th.

BOX SCORE

STAT LEADERS

UT ARLINGTON
Scoring: Candice Champion (14), Tiffeny Riles (12), Maryann Abanobi (10)
Rebounding: Erin Dixon (13), Shalyn Martin (6)
Assist: Tamara Simmons (5), Maryann Abanobi (3)
Blocks: Shalyn Martin (1), Maryann Abanobi (1)
Steals: Maryann Abanobi (2), LaTosha Duffey (2)

TEXAS STATE
Scoring: Joyce Ekworomadu (20), Ashley Cole (11), Aimee Hilburn (7), Victoria Davis (7), Marie Moser (6)
Rebounding: Aimee Hilburn (7), Victoria Davis (7), Ashley Cole (6), Marie Moser (3
Assist: Brooke DeGrate (5), Victoria Davis (3), Aimee Hilburn (2)
Blocks: Aimee Hilburn (1), Victoria Davis (1)
Steals: Brooke DeGrate (5), Joyce Ekworomadu (2)