Bobcats' hot start fuels blowout win over Arkansas State
Senior guard Toshua Leavitt scored 31 points and poked away a career-high five steals in Saturday’s 85-62 victory in Jonesboro, Ark. But head coach Zenarae Antoine was more impressed by what her team did on the boards.
Texas State outrebounded Arkansas State, 41-25.
“I thought the forward group played really well for us today," Antoine said. "They watched extra film during the scout and it showed. To outrebound this team by that type of margin (plus-16) is a huge accomplishment for this group and I am proud of their effort."
The Bobcats jumped out to a 13-0 lead to start the first quarter, with eight points coming from Leavitt. The visitors grabbed seven rebounds during the stretch.
The Red Wolves never recovered. Even after the run ended with a layup from redshirt senior guard Akasha Westbrook, Texas State scored another eight unanswered to widen the score, 21-2.
The hosts trailed 23-7 heading into the second quarter and cut the lead down to 12 four times in the first 7:30 of the period. But that was the closest they would come. Freshman forward Da’Nasia Hood sank a pair of 3s and junior guard Bailey Holle cashed in a layup at the end of the half to push the Bobcats back up by 20.
Leavitt and sophomore forward Jayla Johnson went nova in the third. The pair combined for 22 points in the quarter to bust open a 33-point lead. All but two of the team’s baskets came from the duo. Senior forward Zandra Emanuel hit a layup in the fourth quarter to give Texas State its largest lead of the game at 36, and the Bobcats coasted to an 85-62 victory.
Leavitt’s 31 points was the highest total on the team, followed by Hood with 16 and Johnson with 14. Junior guard Brooke Holle led the charge on the boards with 10 rebounds to go along with two points.
Texas State (9-9, 4-2 Sun Belt) will return to Strahan Arena this week to take on Georgia State (9-8, 3-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Georgia Southern (5-12, 0-6) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game.
