Bobcats drop fifth-straight to ULM, 58-55

A 3-pointer from Louisiana-Monroe (3-13, 1-4 Sun Belt) freshman guard Gara Beth Self was a tough blow for the Bobcats.

Texas State (7-9, 0-5), now trailing the Warhawks 56-55 with 1:05 left in Thursday’s game inside Strahan Arena, missed its next shot. Senior guard Bailey Holle came up with a big stop on the other end, denying ULM senior guard Amber Thompson a clean look at the basket and grabbing the offensive rebound.

The hosts took the ball back to their side of the court and called timeout with 14.6 seconds remaining on the clock. Junior guard Avionne Alexander received the inbounds pass after the break and handed the ball off to sophomore guard Kennedy Taylor on the right wing. Taylor flung the ball to the opposite side of the court to sophomore forward Da’Nasia Hood, who pulled up for the triple.

Hood had helped the maroon and gold stay in the game. She’d found her range three times during the period and added another bucket inside for 11 points. It made sense for her team to find her at a crucial point.

“(I was) just staying locked in,” Hood said. “I know my team is gonna put me in those big positions. So I just finished the shots for us.”

Hood’s shot fell short of the goal, though. Warhawks sophomore center Sheniqua Coatney grabbed the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled by Alexander with 5.5 seconds left. Coatney made both free throws to extend the lead to three as Texas State called its final timeout.

Taylor received the inbounds pass again. This time she sent the ball to Alexander, spotting up inside the arc on the right side. Alexander took the final shot, but hit all rim as the final buzzer sounded.

The Bobcats were handed their fifth-straight loss, 58-55.

“Obviously, this game hurts,” Antoine said. “It's just a string of games to start out conference. This isn't what, you know, these kids worked for, and they are working really hard to, you know, ensure their their opportunities to win right now. So, you know, first, you know, for me, the most important thing is going to make is going to be making sure that the players understand that the work they've been putting in, is going to pay off.”

Hood led the team with 20 points, followed by junior forward Jayla Johnson with 10. Brooke Holle added seven and led the squad with eight rebounds.

The loss moves Texas State to last place in the conference. The Bobcats will look for their first win in league play when they play Louisiana (10-6, 3-2) at home Saturday at 2 p.m.

“The (players) have no reason to get their heads down,” Antoine said. “It isn't like these kids don't work hard in practice. They work hard in practice. It's just a matter now of really making sure that we pay attention to those details that matter in the end, the small scouting report details that truly matter.”