HOUSTON – Down by seven entering the final period, Tarleton State Women’s basketball overcame the deficit by using a 19-6 fourth quarter run to defeat Houston Christian 48-42 at Sharp Gym Tuesday night.
Senior guard Miannah Little gave the Texans a spark off the bench, leading Tarleton State with a season-high 17 points off 50% shooting from the floor. Senior forward Elise Turrubiates continued to lead the Texans on the glass with nine rebounds while scoring eight points.
In addition to Tarleton State’s stifling defense that resulted in 20% fourth quarter shooting by HCU, the Texans were ignited by play from its bench. The Texans had their third game this season where the bench scored at least 20 points (23), resulting in the third victory of the season for Tarleton State.
Junior guard Karyn Sanford helped the Tarleton State offense get started in the first quarter, scoring the first four points to help push the Texans out in front early. HCU, however, shut down the Texans for the remainder of the opening period and closed the first quarter out with five unanswered points to take advantage.
The Texans ferociously responded in the second quarter, storming out to an 11-0 scoring run capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from Little. HCU answered the bell with 10 unanswered points to swing the advantage, but Little converted a layup to make it a one-possession game.
Back-to-back baskets from senior forward Alani Fluker allowed the Texans to tie it up at 21 with just over two minutes remaining, with neither team giving up a score to close the half. Turrubiates drew a shooting foul just before the buzzer sounded and knocked in the pair of free throws to give Tarleton State the two-point lead at the break.
HCU began the second half in attack mode, forcing Tarleton State to just 23% third quarter shooting. The Huskies outscored the Texans 15-6 in the third quarter to take a seven-point lead entering the final 10 minutes.
Tarleton State refused to back down, opening the fourth quarter with seven unanswered points capped off by a basket from senior guard Jakoriah Long while she was fouled. Little continued to help the Texans claw their way back by scoring a basket while drawing the foul to tie it up after an HCU score.
Tarleton State leading scorer Arieona Rosborough scored five straight points with under two minutes in regulation to give the Texans a 44-40 lead. HCU responded with a basket and looked for the tying bucket following a missed shot by Tarleton State. With less than 20 seconds to play, the Texans forced HCU into a missed shot and secured the rebound while drawing a foul. Tarleton State knocked down its final four free throws to clinch the road win.
The Texans continue its road trip with the New Orleans’ Big Easy Classic, starting the multi-team event against Delaware on Friday at 5:45 p.m.
Postgame Notes
- Tarleton State defeated Houston Christian in its first-ever meeting against the Huskies 48-42. It was Tarleton State’s first win on the road this season.
- The Texans ended the game on a 19-6 run in the fourth quarter, holding HCU to just 20% shooting from the floor in the final period.
- The 42 points allowed by the Texans is the lowest point total by a Tarleton State opponent this season. This is the second time in the Bill Brock Era that the Texans have held its opponent to under 45 points playing in the city of Houston (40, at Texas Southern, Dec. 30, 2023).
- Senior guard Miannah Little scored a season-high 17 points off the bench, shooting 50% from the floor. She is averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting an average of 53% in her last two games.
- Tarleton State had 23 points come from its bench, the third time this season the Texans have had 20 or more points scored from the bench. The Texans are 3-0 in games this season when the bench scores at least 20 points.
- Three different players registered at least two steals (Arieona Rosborough – 4, Elise Turrubiates – 3, Jakoriah Long – 2), with the Texans collecting a season-high 10 steals.
- Sophomore forward Anya McKenzie made her season debut after missing the first five games due to injury. She played the final four and a half minutes and was a key defensive contributor to help the Texans close out the game.
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