The Texas State women’s basketball team defeated the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns 56-53 Thursday afternoon to earn its 17^th win of the season, matching last season’s win total.
The close victory gives the Bobcats a 17-8 record overall and are 8-2 at home with an away record of 9-5. Texas State is ranked second in the Sun-Belt Conference standings and boast a 10-4 record against conference rivals.
Starting the game hot, the Bobcats jumped out to an early 10-point lead of a 10-0 run. After a timeout the Ragin’ Cajuns struck back, taking a one-point lead after an 11-0 run. The Ragin Cajuns found themselves up by one at the end of the first quarter, leading 17-16.
The second quarter of play favored Louisiana as they held the lead from start to finish, the Bobcats getting as close as one-point during the quarter. At the end of the half the Bobcats trailed Louisiana 28-23.
The beginning of the third quarter saw the Bobcats tie up the lead off a jumper and a three-pointer from Taeler Deer, senior guard, before taking the lead back off a triple from Bailey Holle, sophomore guard.
For Deer, the afternoon’s performance was history after her third assist of the game gave a season total of 162. The total makes her Texas State’s all-time single-season leader in assists, passing Texas State alumni Shelly Borton. The senior guard had 17 on the night with five assists in 35 minutes.
Building on their momentum, the Bobcats held the lead throughout the third, leading by as many as seven-points. Texas State closed the quarter up 45-40.
The fourth quarter of play resembled the first and saw both teams trade blows. Louisiana retook the lead early in the quarter before the Bobcats regained the advantage late. It was a pair of clutch free throws from Deer that sealed the 56-53 victory for Texas State
Leading the Bobcats in scoring on the afternoon was sophomore guard Brooke Holle. The sophomore totaled 21-points and rounded out her game with an assist and two steals.