STEPHENVILLE – Grabbing 59 rebounds to set a new Division I Era program record, Tarleton Women’s Basketball held off its former Lone Star Conference rival and won its third consecutive game with a 64-31 victory over the Rattlers Saturday afternoon at Wisdom Gym.
Holding St. Mary’s (TX) to just 19% shooting, the Rattlers’ 31 points were the lowest by a Texan opponent this season. It is the fewest points Tarleton has allowed to the opposition since Dec. 4, 2021 (22 vs. Arlington Baptist).
Senior guard Niki Van Wyk led the Texans in scoring with nine points off the bench, with Tarleton’s non-starters accumulating 37 points in Saturday’s win.
“I’m glad with the way we finished,” head coach Bill Brock said. “I’m proud that we held them to under 10 points in three quarters. I think that is pretty impressive and that relates to effort. I wanted these kids to feel what it was like to win three games in one week. We had a chance to do that earlier in the year and we did not accomplish that over Thanksgiving. It is a big deal for us to do that to end this week.”
St. Mary’s (TX) scored the opening bucket, sparking an 11-0 Texan scoring run in the first quarter. The Rattlers weathered the early storm by knocking down a jumper with just under four minutes to play, but the Texans continued to strike on offense by scoring the next seven points. The Texans’ defense held the Rattlers to just 12.5% shooting and five points in the first quarter to take an early 13-point lead.
A layup by sophomore forward Anya McKenzie allowed the Texans to move ahead by 15 points midway through the second quarter, with Tarleton holding the Rattlers to just 11.1% shooting and five points in the second period. Tarleton ended the second quarter with a 6-0 scoring run to take a 26-10 lead into the locker room.
After a jumper by senior guard Arieona Rosborough, the Texans knocked down four straight free throws to go out in front by 20. St. Mary’s (TX) looked to chip away at the advantage by answering with a bucket and two free throws, but the Texans held firm. Van Wyk knocked down a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play in the third period, allowing Tarleton to take a 39-22 lead heading into the final 10.
Continuing to put relentless pressure on defense, Tarleton continued to hit its stride on offense. The Texans held St. Mary’s (TX) to just nine fourth quarter points while shooting 52.9% from the floor offensively to take complete control. Tarleton ended the game on an 18-2 run over the final 6:25, closing with 10 unanswered points to seal its third straight win.
Tarleton goes on a short Christmas Break before returning to Wisdom Gym Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. against Texas Southern for its final non-conference game of the season.
Postgame Notes
- Tarleton Women’s Basketball defeated St. Mary’s (TX) 64-31 on Saturday night at Wisdom Gym. It was the first time the two former Lone Star Conference rivals squared off since Feb. 20, 2020.
- The Texans grabbed a season-high 59 rebounds on Saturday, setting a new single game Division I program record. Tarleton was one rebound shy of its first 60 rebound game since 2014.
- The Texans have won its last three games heading into the Christmas Break. It is the first time since the 2021-22 season Tarleton has entered its Christmas Break with a three-game win streak.
- St. Mary’s (TX)’s 31 points marked a season-low allowed by a Tarleton opponent and was the lowest by a Tarleton team under head coach Bill Brock. It is the fourth time this season the Texans have allowed 42 points or less, having a 4-0 record in those games.
- The Texans held the lead for 37:04 on Saturday. Tarleton has held the lead for 115:28 out of 120 minutes in this week’s games.
- Tarleton made a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line on Saturday. It is the first time in the Division I Era Tarleton has shot 100% from the charity strike (min. 10 attempts). It is the first time since Jan. 4, 2018 the Texans were perfect from the free throw line in at least 10 attempts (14-of-14, vs. Angelo State).
- Guards Tyler Jackson (7) and Karyn Sanford (5) both recorded a season-high for rebounds off the bench. 31 of Tarleton’s 59 boards came from players off the bench.
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