SW Georgia News

 Texas State opened up the game on a 10-4 run and never trailed in picking up an 82-70 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball victory over host Georgia Southern in both school's league opener Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse.

The Bobcats moved to 9-3 overall an 1-0 in the Sun Belt with their third straight win, while Georgia Southern (8-2, 0-1 SBC) saw its six-game win streak come to a close.

Texas State hit 5-of-7 shots from long range to open up the game on a 20-10 run. Georgia Southern closed out the first quarter on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to just one, 20-19, at the end of the period.

The Bobcats went on a 13-4 run to start the second quarter as the Eagles hit just 3-of-12 shots from the field in the period. A three-pointer by Da'nasia Hood at the end of the half staked Texas State to a 43-33 advantage at the break. The Bobcats shot 51.6 percent from the floor (16-of-31) and 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from three-point range in the half.

In the second half, the Bobcats scored the first nine points to open up a 52-36 lead. The lead stayed double digits until late in the fourth, when a three-pointer by Taya Gibson cut the deficit to eight, 74-66, with 59.1 seconds left. Texas State made eight of eight free throws in the final minute to secure the win. The Bobcats hit 20-of-22 free throws in the second half.

Terren Ward led the Eagles offensively with 18 points, while Andreana Wrister hit 4-of-6 threes for 12 points. Gibson added 12 points and Le'Andrea Gillis chipped in 10.

Hood led Texas State with 22 points, while Ja'Kayla Bowie added 14 points and Kennedy Taylor had 10 points and eight assists.

Eagle of the GameWard finished the game with 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals before fouling out with 2:38 remaining in the game.

Stats of the GameGeorgia Southern came into the contest ranking among the Top 10 in the nation in steals per game (15.3) and turnovers forced per game (23.78), but Texas State turned the ball over just 11 times and the Eagles managed only four steals.QuotablesHead Coach Anita Howard on what the Bobcats did tonight against the Eagles"This is a veteran ball club. They have seniors who have been with the program for four and some five years, and that showed. They knew it was a business trip here and they understand how to win on the road. It was an off night for our offense, period. They did a good job to slow us down by putting two or three back in transition. Weren't able to get those transition points that we are usually able to get."

Next UpGeorgia Southern hosts Arkansas State on Saturday in a 2 p.m. Sun Belt Conference contest at Hanner Fieldhouse to close out the 2022 calendar year.

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