The Lady Lions kept up their winning streak defeating the Texas State Lady Bobcats on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the University Center. The Lady Lions and the Lady Bobcats battled it out the entire game. There were constant turnovers, free-throw shots, steals, tie breakers and leads by only a few points. Both teams kept the intensity going until the very last second of the game, where the Lady Lions took the win with a final score of 69-66.

The game started off looking good for the Lady Lions as they won the opening tip thanks to senior center Rachel Mackie. The Lady Lions came in strong, scoring the first basket of the game within the first minute as senior guard Chelsea Hix knocked down a three-pointer. The team stayed strong for the first few minutes down to the very last second, continuing to make basket after basket.

“We came into the game with so much energy,” said Hix. “We know that if we start with energy we will end with energy”.

The game was a constant back and forth battle between the two teams. When the Lady Lions would score, the Lady Bobcats followed right behind with their own points. The game was tied again 29-29 with 3:37 left in the half due to a two point jump shot by junior guard Kelli Jenkins.  It remained close the entire game, but the Lady Bobcats could never seem to turn it over.  

The second half started off just as intense as the first half. The Lady Lions showed their skills scoring six points in the first two minutes of the second half, two by Mackie and four by senior forward Rashima Jenkins. Quick points gave the Lady Lions a seven-point lead at 42-33.

The Lady Lions consistent baskets and strengthened defense in the second half ensured their victory over the Bobcats.

“We really picked up our defense in the second half,” said Head Coach Lori Davis Jones.

The game came down to two free throw shots by Hix with 10 seconds remaining, another with three seconds remaining and a steal by  Kelli Jenkins at the last second.

The win against the Lady Bobcats put the Lady Lions in a tie with Texas State and UT-Arlington for the final seat in the Southland Conference Tournament. The Lady Lions plan to win the tiebreakers with both teams for the final spot in the conference tournament and then move on to take it all.

 “Our goal isn’t to get into the conference tournament, it is to win the conference tournament,” said Davis Jones.

The Lady Lions will have their final home game when they take on McNeese State Wednesday, March 2 where they will also recognize their senior team members.