MONROE, La. – Texas State broke open a tight game with a 22-5 run over a nearly nine-minute span in the second half as the Bobcats held on for a 58-50 win over ULM to open Sun Belt Conference play Thursday night at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
 
Both teams were shorthanded due to injuries and illness, with ULM playing just eight players and Texas State rotating nine players.
 
It was a defensive battle in the first half, with ULM limiting Texas State to 29% shooting (8-for-28), including 18% in the first quarter (3-of-17). However, Texas State won the turnover battle, 11-7, and ULM led 23-22 at the break.
 
The Bobcats heated up in the second half, shooting 60% from the floor after the break (15-of-25). With the game tied at 31, Texas State mounted a 22-5 run to take its largest lead of the game, 53-36, with 5:58 to go on Kennedy Taylor's layup. ULM outscored the Bobcats 14-5 down the stretch for the final margin.
 
Second-year freshman Kyren Whittington led ULM in her return, scoring 16 points. True freshman Amaya Ford also reached double figures with 11 points. Da'Nasia Hood came off the bench to lead four Bobcats in double figures with 19 points.
 
ULM wraps up an eight-game homestand at 2 p.m. Saturday against UT Arlington.