SAN MARCOS ? Lydia Gonzales scored 19 points in her final game as a Bearkat to lead the Sam Houston State women's basketball team to an 88-83 win over Texas State-San Marcos Sunday afternoon at Stahan Coliseum.
The victory knocked the Bobcats out of an opportunity for a berth in the 2009 Southland Conference post-season tournament. Sam Houston was eliminated Saturday night as the Kats lost out in a tie-breaker situation with McNeese State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Sam Houston State (9-20, SLC 6-10) finished the 2009 season ranked among the top 10 most improved teams in NCAA Division I women's basketball, going from one victory in 2008 to nine this season.
The victory ended a 22-game road losing streak in Southland Conference play for the Bearkats. Sam Houston's last SLC road win was at McNeese State in 2007.
Four other Sam Houston players scored in double figures in the victory as Britni Martin scored 18 points, Leasa Ailshie 16, Whitney Smith 14 and Khamra Echols 10.
Sam Houston trailed Texas State-San Marcos 31-26 at halftime but came back to outscore the Bobcats 62-52 in the second half. There were eight lead changes in the contest.
Kim Cessna led the Bobcats with 26 points.
Sam Houston hit 30-of-64 from the floor (46.9 percent) including 10 three point baskets.
