Bobcat women suffer OT loss at Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. — Diamond Ford had 22 points, including a huge three at the end of regulation but it was not enough as the Texas State women’s basketball team fell to WAC leader Seattle 73-71 in overtime Thursday night at Seattle’s Connolly Center.

The Bobcats were down with 11 seconds to go in overtime and were able to gain possession after forcing a shot clock violation from the Redhawks. Texas State broke the Seattle press and got the ball to Ford for a left wing three but the shot was just off.

The offensive rebound was gathered by the Bobcats but the ensuing shot by Ford was short, allowing the Redhawks to come away with the win.

Texas State started red hot, making six of its first seven shots, racing out to an 11-6 lead. Diamond Ford was a big part of the start, scoring seven of the team’s first 11 points.

After Seattle got back into the game, to tie the game at 15-15, the Bobcats would go on a spurt that would separate the two teams for the rest of the half. Texas State went on a 10-2 run to go up 25-17.

The game went back-and-forth for a bit before Ashley Ezeh made her presence felt, making three straight jumpers to extend the Texas State lead to 12. Ezeh finished with eight first half points.

The jumpers were part of a stretch that saw the Bobcats lead by as much as 39-23 in the first, and took a 14-point lead into the break.

Seattle would not go away to start the second half, going on a 15-6 run at one point, cutting the Texas State advantage to 49-42. The Redhawks then went on another run to cut Texas State’s lead to 57-54. A few minutes later it was tied at 59-59 following a three-point foul call on Ford.

Down 66-63, the Bobcats went to Ford who was 1-of-8 from three-point range to that point. She drilled a three with a player in her face, tying the game at 66-66. Texas State then had an opportunity to win the game at the buzzer in regulation but Ayriel Anderson’s shot was too strong.

Texas State closes out the regular season Saturday with an 8 p.m. game at Idaho.