STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton men’s basketball topped Champion Christian 107-62 in an exhibition contest for the final game of 2019 on New Year’s Eve in Wisdom Gym.
The game was a tune-up for the Texans who last played on Dec. 21 and will return to Lone Star Conference play on Jan. 2 at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The Texans had their best offensive performance of the season, as the 107 points were a season-high followed by 18 3-pointers on 62 percent shooting. Since the game is an exhibition, the stats don’t count towards the season total, but the 18 3-pointers would have set a new school record.
Isaiah Boling poured in a personal best 20 points on 6-9 shooting from 3-pointer range, while Zach Naylor added 17 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from behind the arc.
All 12 Texans scored in the game, with five posting double figures. Josh Hawley posted 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Dexter Johnson and Isaiah Range each added 10 points.
Tarleton led 49-25 at the break and scored a single-half best 58 points in the second half. The Texans led by as much as 48 in the second half, which was highlighted by a 22-0 run.
The Texan defense limited the Tigers to just 33 percent shooting and forced 15 turnovers. They also had 10 blocks to Champion Christian’s zero, with Clashon Gaffney blocked a game-high four shots. Gaffney also had five points and five rebounds.
Javontae Hopkins got his first career start and scored seven points while Randall Broddie also added seven points.
The Texans had 66 bench points with Devin Bethely posting nine points and five assists, Josh Williams recorded six points, and Jaraan Lands and Grey Parrish each scored two points.
The Texans will be at home for the next two games as the rest of the season will be conference opponents. Tarleton will take on Texas A&M-Kingsville on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and then Texas A&M International on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m.
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