Saniya Burks’ Stellar Performance Not Enough for Texas State Women’s Basketball

In a thrilling showdown on Saturday, guard Saniya Burks delivered a season-defining performance for the Texas State women’s basketball team. Despite her efforts, the Bobcats fell to Troy 67-63. Burks, who had not scored over 15 points since mid-December, put up an impressive 27 points and hit seven 3-pointers on 9-of-19 shooting. However, in the fourth quarter, the Trojans managed to limit Burks to just two points on 1-of-4 shooting, which proved crucial in securing the win.

Troy’s guard Ashley Baez sealed the victory with two free throws, showcasing the team’s resilience in the final moments of the game. Texas State (7-10, 3-4 in Sun Belt) will look to regroup as they prepare to face Appalachian State on Wednesday. Here are some key takeaways from the loss:

Saniya Burks’ Comeback

Burks has demonstrated the ability to heat up from beyond the arc right from the start of the season. In the first game against Ohio, she scored 34 points with seven made 3-pointers. However, maintaining that level of play during Sun Belt competition has been challenging, as she has only reached the 20-point mark once against ULM.

The previous meeting between the teams saw Burks scoring just nine points as Troy dominated the Bobcats 84-49. This time around, Texas State flipped the script, showing what it can achieve when its top scorer is at full strength. While there is no separate column for “moral victories” on the team’s win-loss record, Burks finding her footing in the Sun Belt could be a turning point for the Bobcats and their competitiveness.

Is Amyria Walker Finding a Role?

With seven minutes left in the game, Texas State substituted in Amyria Walker in search of an offensive spark. She led the Bobcats in scoring during her limited time on the court, making 3-of-6 attempts for six points. Considering the team struggled to score outside of Burks for most of the game, it raises the question: is there room for Walker to get more playing time?

Head coach Zenarae Antoine has to balance the playing time among her guards, with Burks, KP Parr, and Deja Jones handling a significant portion of the minutes. However, it’s worth considering how much longer Antoine can rely on Jones, who recorded two points, one rebound, zero assists, and two turnovers against Troy.

Challenges with the Glass

The Bobcats continue to struggle with their rebounding. Troy won the rebounding battle 51-42, earning 18 second-chance points compared to just four for Texas State. Kyra Anderson, Angela Carroll, and Taleiyah Gibbs are starters and the team’s tallest players, but the Trojans seemed unbothered in the paint.

Texas State isn’t a tall roster, but even Troy forward Fortuna Ngnawo, who is an inch shorter than the 6-foot-1 Anderson, grabbed 17 rebounds. Height plays a role against teams like UTSA, which features three starters over six feet tall, including the 6-foot-4 Emi Dannebauer. However, in the Sun Belt, Texas State cannot afford to lose the battle in the paint so badly.

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