Nov. 24, 2006

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Ashley Leffingwell made two clutch free throws with 3.1 seconds left, and a desperation heave at the buzzer fell short as Texas State won its regular season home opener 62-59 over Texas-Pan American Friday night in the second game of the CenturyTel Classic.

Hadley Freeman's 3-point basket with four seconds left brought the Lady Broncs to within 60-59 and was the only field goal for either team in the game's final 6:13, but the `Cats were able to hang on for the win.

Joyce Ekworomadu scored a career-high 29 points in the game, and both Leffingwell and Erica Putnam also reached double figures for the Bobcats. Leffingwell scored 14 and Putnam chipped in 11.

LeKeisha Gray was the lone Lady Bronc in double figures, netting 15 points while collecting eight rebounds.

Leffingwell got the `Cats rolling by scoring the team's first seven points. After hitting a running jumper to barely beat the buzzer, Leffingwell followed with a steal and 3-point play when she was fouled on a made lay-up and converted the free throw.

The sophomore then made two more free throws a few possessions later as Texas State held a 7-6 lead at the game's first media timeout with 15:41 left in the first half.

Ekworomadu then took the reins and scored the next six points for Texas State, as a 9-4 Bobcat run over the next four minutes made it 16-10.

UTPA got back into the game using fast break lay-ups and a pair of three pointers, getting to within 24-21 with 4:42 remaining in the half.

Ashley Banks ended Texas State's scoring drought with a running jumper from the left side to make it 26-22 with just under three minutes left before half time. Putnam then converted two free throws with 2:09 remaining to put the `Cats back up by six.

After the `Cats and Lady Broncs traded baskets to open the half, Gray hit a three pointer to bring UTPA back within seven with 16:59 left in the game at 38-31.

Putnam ended the `Cats scoring drought with a short jumper two minutes later and Leffingwell followed with a three to put the Bobcats back up by double digits, 45-35.

The Lady Broncs would get no closer than eight points until La'Shae Woodard hit a jumper to make it 48-42 with 9:20 remaining. Woodard then found Rose Esther Jean on the next UTPA possession to cut it to a four point game.

Jean then made two free throws and UTPA got a steal and lay-up to cap the 8-0 Lady Broncs run and tie the game at the 7:30 mark.

Putnam and Ekworomadu then each hit a pair of free throws to put Texas State back up by four less than a minute later. Ekworomadu then hit a lay-up to end a seven minute span without a field goal for the `Cats that put them back up by six.

UTPA climbed back within two thanks to a pair of Gray free throws with 4:14 remaining. With both teams in the bonus, Ekworomadu made a trip to the line and made two free throws as Texas State went back up 56-52 with a shade under four minutes remaining.

Woodard was called for a technical foul in response to being called out of bounds going for a loose ball with 2:56 to play, and Leffingwell converted one of two free throws to make it 57-53, but UTPA hit two free throws on its next possession to keep it close.

Aimee Hilburn was whistled for a loose ball foul after Putnam missed a baseline jumper with 17 seconds left, but Daniel missed one of her free throw attempts, allowing Texas State to remain ahead by a point.

On the ensuing in bounds play, Gray was called for an intentional foul on Ekworomadu, who made both free throws. Texas State kept possession because of the intentional foul, and Leffingwell made one of two free throws to make it 60-56.

Freeman's three bounced in with four seconds left to make it 60-59, but Leffingwell's free throws iced the game.

Each team will return to action on Saturday in the final day of the CenturyTel Classic. The Bobcats will take on UMKC while UTPA will face Louisiana-Monroe.