Feb. 22, 2007

Box Score

SAN MARCOS - Texas State women's basketball suffered its second home loss of the season as well as its hold on second place in the SLC West standings with a 73-70 loss to Stephen F. Austin Thursday at Strahan Coliseum.

The Bobcats (17-10, 10-4) attempted a rally in the final 30 seconds but came up short as the Ladyjacks (18-8, 10-3) won their sixth straight game over the Bobcats.

Janesha Washington scored 18 points in just 15 minutes to lead the `Cats and was one of three Texas State players in double figures.

Both teams struggled from the floor, with SFA barely edging Texas State by a 40.3 to 39.1 margin. Texas State did outrebound SFA, 46-38.

An 8-0 Bobcat run to start the game prompted an SFA timeout and sent the home crowd into a frenzy, but the Ladyjacks responded with a 13-4 run of their own and held a 13-12 lead with 10:20 left in the first half.

Joyce Ekworomadu's three then started a 9-0 Texas State run over the next two minutes that took the Bobcats' lead to eight at 21-13, but SFA hit three 3-pointers to regain a lead they would hold until half time as the Ladyjacks went to the locker room up 31-29.

SFA's lead extended when play resumed, as Texas State found themselves down 51-41 with 11:29 remaining. The Bobcats would mount a rally behind Washington, who scored nine straight points to pull the `Cats within five at 55-50 two minutes later.

The comeback would stall though as the Ladyjack lead built back to nine. An Erica Putnam free throw made it 63-58 with 2:55 to cap a 6-2 Bobcat run, and it looked like the Bobcats were primed for a comeback.

However, Texas State failed to make the most of consecutive defensive stops, and SFA would go up by as many as 10 with 28 seconds left. The Bobcats desperation comeback fell short, as an Ashley Leffingwell three at the buzzer set the final score at 73-70.