After a sloppy first half that included 31 combined turnovers by both teams, Texas State (7-8, 3-2 Sun Belt)managed to pull away in the third quarter, led by Kyra Anderson’s 20 points and 11 rebounds. The Bobcats held Ragin’ Cajuns to 26.2% shooting and allowed only 18 points in the paint. 

Texas State will return home Wednesday to face Southern Miss. Here are takeaways from the Bobcats’ win:

Texas State head coach Zenarae Antoine has previously expressed her faith in Deja Jones, who was brought in to be the team’s veteran point guard. However, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that guard KP Parr needs more playing time. 

Parr is the only Bobcat with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio this season. When Texas State began the game with three turnovers that led to a 4-0 deficit, Antoine subbed the Wichita State transfer in for Saniya Burks. The Bobcats proceeded to go on a 10-4 run. While Parr turned the ball over twice in the first quarter, she also assisted two baskets and recorded a steal. 

The guard also assisted two baskets and made a layup during a 10-0 run in the third quarter that put Texas State up 43-29. Parr finished with six points, eight rebounds and six assists while Jones had five points and three rebounds. 

Burks recorded her only field goal of the game with 2 minutes, 25 seconds left in the third quarter, zipping under the basket for a reverse layup. Over the past four games, the guard has scored 10 points once and is shooting 12.5% from 3-point range.

Texas State has won two of those games, which speaks to the potential of the roster. Defenses know Burks can get white-hot from distance and have made a point to leave no breathing room for the guard on offense. The Bobcats could unlock even more offensive potential if they can get Burks’ shot back on track. 

Anderson led all scorers for her third 20-point game of the year. Although she isn’t much of a self-creator, the sophomore makes quick decisions when Texas State can find her in the post and is a tough-nosed rebounder. 

Burks hasn’t been able to hit her 3-pointers recently, but her sharpshooting potential pulls defenders away from the basket, allowing Anderson to go to work. Texas State found success in the second half by running plays to Burks’ side of the court and dumping it off to the forward.

Five of Parr’s eight assists went to Anderson, speaking to the chemistry the duo has developed. The Bobcats are young, but their path to success has slowly begun to take shape.