SAN MARCOS, Texas – The HCU women's basketball team dropped a tightly contested game to the Texas State Bobcats in Strahan Arena Tuesday evening. Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), underwent a name change in September 2022.
 
It was a very back and forth game wire-to-wire including eight ties and 14 lead changes. HCU (5-5) shot lights out from three point range in the first two periods. Julija Vujakovic and Abbey Sutherland each made two as the Huskies knocked down 7-of-14 in the half.
 
The Huskies fell behind 6-2 through the first four minutes of the game before Kennedy Wilson knocked down a three ball and made a mid-range jump shot off of a second chance opportunity following a Sutherland offensive rebound.
 
Texas State (7-3) answered with a 6-0 run before Vujakovic knocked down a pair of free throws. Back-to-back layups to end the first period gave Texas State a 20-15 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
To open the second, Vujakovic and Sutherland both knocked down three pointers to cut the lead to one before both teams went cold from the floor. Vujakovic made a free throw to tie things up before making fast break layup at the five minute mark to give HCU their first lead of the afternoon, 24-22. HCU extended their lead to three at the 3:41 mark off of  two made free throws from N'Denasija Collins.
 
Both teams traded baskets over the next several possessions before the Bobcats made a pair of free throws and knocked down a jumper with the clock winding down to take a 39-35 lead into the half.
 
HCU played lock down defense throughout the third quarter, holding the Bobcats to just 3-of-13 shooting. Nzoiwu and Collins made the first two buckets of the period, tying the game at 39 at the eight minute mark. Following a Texas State made free throw, the Huskies reclaimed the lead 41-40 on a pair of free throws from Collins.
 
Both sides went back and forth including four lead changes through the last six minutes of the third. After reclaiming a three point lead, the Bobcats fouled Wilson attempting a layup as time expired. She knocked down both free throws and cut the Bobcat lead to one heading to the fourth.
 
After tying things up at 52, the Huskies allowed seven consecutive points to the Bobcats forcing them into their first timeout of the game. On back-to-back possessions following the timeout, Collins knocked down a three ball and a layup on a steal from Vujakovic to cut the lead back to two. The Bobcats were able to maintain their lead over the final five minutes, holding the Huskies to just four points, finishing 67-61.
 
Collins secured her second double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Vujakovic finished with 14 points and three assists including three made three pointers. Wilson finished with 11 points and five boards.  
 
Lauryn Thompson finished with a game high 23 points for Texas State. Tianna Eaton finished with 12 points and seven rebounds while Morgan Hill finished with 10 points.
 
HCU makes a quick trip to Austin tomorrow morning to face the Texas Longhorns at 2:00 p.m. before opening up Southland Conference play in Sharp Gym against the New Orleans Privateers on New Year's Eve.