Feb. 13, 2008

SAN MARCOS - Texas State women's basketball faces another tough test to maintain its place atop the conference standings as the Bobcats take on the top two teams in the Southland Conference East Division this weekend, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. against McNeese State.

A win over Texas-Arlington gave the `Cats (14-8, 8-1 SLC) sole possession of first place in the conference standings, but the Cowgirls (6-16, 4-4 SLC) and East-leading Lamar Cardinals (13-8, 6-2 SLC) will be trying to knock the Bobcats out of the top spot.

Texas State boasts the league's top scoring offense and top rebounding squad. The Bobcats also rank first in field goal percentage while holding opponents to the lowest shooting percentages in the league on field goals and from behind the three point line.

Individually, Joyce Ekworomadu ranks third in the Southland in scoring at 17.0 points per game while upping her average to 19.3 points in conference play. Ekworomadu also leads the SLC in free throw percentage and three point percentage on the year while pairing with Ashley Cole to lead Texas State scorers. Cole ranks second on the Bobcats in scoring at 10.7 points per game and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage, connecting on over 48 percent of her attempts.

McNeese State enters Thursday as one of the top three point shooting teams in the entire nation, making 45 percent of their shots from downtown. The Cowgirls also lead the SLC in free throw shooting at nearly 85 percent while allowing the lowest rebounding total for opponents in the league.

Courtnee' Hollins has emerged this season as McNeese State's leader on offense, upping her scoring average from 15.5 points per game overall on the season to an SLC-best 22.1 average in conference play. Hollins also ranks second in SLC games in three pointers made at 2.35 per game and fourth in free throw percentage with a 94 percent clip.

Texas State will then have to travel to Beaumont to take on SLC East leader Lamar and its trio of high scorers on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Lady Cardinals have three of the SLC's top seven scoring leaders as Tamara Abalde nets 17.4 points per game overall and 20.8 points in conference. Abalde also ranks among the league leaders in rebounding at 7.5 per game overall and 9.0 in conference games.

Brittney and Nikki Williams balance the offensive attack with over 15 points per game each for Lamar, who leads the conference in team field goal percentage at 46 percent. Nikki Williams also ranks in the top five in steals and assists, averaging 4.14 assists and 2.38 steals per game.

Texas State will also be participating in the WBCA's national "Think Pink" initiative to help increase awareness about breast cancer on Thursday against McNeese State. Fans are encouraged to wear pink along with the Bobcats, who will don pink shoelaces for the game.

Both games will also be broadcasted live on 89.9 FM KTSW.