TXST WBB
Texas State dropped their home game to the Tarleton State Texans 56-45 in nonconference action.
It was a frustrating loss for the Bobcats and Head Coach Zenarae Antoine after Texas State led 37-35 going into the fourth quarter, but were then outscored by the Texans 21-8.
“I’m truly disappointed,” Antoine said. “We were able to battle [Tarleton State]. They’ve had close losses and this one was a close win for them. We closed the gap, we were right there, and we did not find ways to convert you know. 21 to 8 in that fourth quarter really hurt, especially when the thing that we’ve done really well is we’ve turned people over.”
Antoine was frustrated in particular with the Bobcats being able to force 21 turnovers on defense but were unable to take advantage on offense.
“We’re working on being better about our ability to be able to score when we have these turnovers,” Antoine said. “We truly have a great transition, finding ways to get to scores because our defense is working hard enough, [but] our offense has to complete the play for us.”
The Bobcats offensive struggles plagued the team throughout the game. The Bobcats started the game trailing 13-4 before an 11-0 run gave the Bobcats their first lead of the game in the second quarter at 1513. Texas State pushed their lead up 17-13 following a jumper from sophomore guard Saniya Burks but the Texans made a run in the second quarter to retake the lead.
In the third quarter, Tarleton State went up 33-27 before the Bobcats went on a 10-2 run to take the lead into the fourth quarter. But the Texans went on a 8-0 run and didn’t relinquish the lead en route to handing the Bobcats the defeat.
Antoine attributed the Bobcats struggles on offense to their inability to move the ball offensive.
“We didn’t move the ball very well,” Antoine said. ”When we move the ball well, we get good looks. I go back to one of our core values, and that’s trust. Trusting what we do so one would be trusting, moving the ball, sharing the ball to get great looks.
“The other piece would be, when we do have these opportunities in transition, we do have quite a few because we’re turning people over, we have to score.”
Burks, who led the team in scoring with 16 points, talked about the importance of passing the ball on offense and how it will help the team offensively.
“It’s the most important right now,” Burks said. “We’re struggling right now with ball movement and intensity. We are moving the ball too slow. So once we click on offense ... we’ll be good.”
On the other side of the ball, Burks talked about the team’s defensive ability to force turnovers.
“High intensity, actively playing together and locking in on defense,” Burks said. “It really helps us pick it up on defense in turning people over.”
Texas State will look to rebound this Sunday against Prairie View A&M. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Strahan Arena.
