STEPHENVILLE – Feeding off the energy from Comanche Elementary students in the crowd, Tarleton State Women’s Basketball came out of its home opener at Wisdom Gym Tuesday victorious with a 57-48 win over New Orleans in its second Education Day game of the season.
Seniors Jakoriah Long and Arieona Rosborough led Tarleton State in scoring with 11 points each, with Long collecting a career-high nine boards. Senior forward Elise Turrubiates grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points while sophomore Faith Acker scored 10 points to go with seven rebounds off the bench. Acker also matched a career-high four blocks, her third career game with four blocks.
The Texans won its eighth straight home opener and remained undefeated in home openers in the Division I Era. New Orleans’ 48 points marked the third consecutive season the Texans allowed less than 50 opposing points in their first game of the season at Wisdom Gym.
New Orleans attacked first following the opening tip by going on a quick 6-0 scoring run, but the Texans came back with eight unanswered points to swing the advantage. Following a layup by the Privateers to tie the game, junior guard Karyn Sanford drained a 3-pointer to give Tarleton State the advantage again. A free throw from Rosborough allowed the Texans to take a one-point lead through the first 10 minutes.
After New Orleans took the lead with a layup three minutes into the second quarter, Long knocked down a 3-pointer and sparked a 9-0 Texan scoring run following her second straight bucket. The Texans took an eight-point lead after a Rosborough jumper, but New Orleans responded with a layup and hit a free throw to make it a 28-23 game going into the locker room.
Rosborough once again opened the Texans’ scoring in the third period, with Tarleton State getting a scoring spark off the bench from Acker. The Winnsboro, Texas, native nailed a basket while drawing a foul and converted inside the paint to stretch the Tarleton State lead 39-30. A third free throw by New Orleans following a Turrubiates layup made it a seven-point game heading into the fourth quarter.
Long’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter allowed the Texans to go out in front by double-digits, using another 9-0 scoring run to move ahead 55-38. New Orleans, however, would not go away quietly and cut the Tarleton State lead down to seven points with a minute and a half to play.
Acker capped off the Texans’ scoring with a jumper and Tarleton State blocked two of New Orleans’ final three shots to secure its first win of the season.
Tarleton State plays its second home game of the season on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Northwestern State. Tickets start at just $10 and can be bought online or by stopping at the Tarleton State Athletics Ticket Office. Fans with a purchased ticket to Tarleton State Football’s home game against Abilene Christian will receive free admission to the women’s basketball game.
Postgame Notes
- Tarleton State won its eighth consecutive home opener with a 57-48 win against New Orleans at Wisdom Gym. The Texans remain undefeated in home openers in the Division I Era.
- The Texans gave up just 48 points in its home opener, the third straight season they have allowed less than 50 points to the opposition in the opening game at Wisdom Gym. Tarleton State has given up just 54 points per game this season.
- Senior guard Jakoriah Long scored 11 points to go with a career-high nine rebounds in Tuesday’s win. She made her first appearance in the starting lineup this season.
- Senior forward Elise Turrubiates grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards. It was her first game with at least 10 boards since Feb. 18, 2023 (at Sam Houston).
- Sophomore center Faith Acker matched a career-high four blocks in Tuesday’s game to go with a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds. She has blocked four shots in three different games during her Tarleton State career.
- Tarleton State played its second Education Day game of the season (first one at home). The Texans, who lead the nation in Education Day games played this season with five, are 1-1 in Education Day games.
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