Tarleton State Women’s Basketball weathers Trailblazers’ fourth quarter storm, defeats Utah Tech

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ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Tech trimmed a 23-point deficit down to single digits in the fourth quarter, but Tarleton State Women’s Basketball held on for a crucial WAC road win 70-61 on Thursday night at Burns Arena. 

The Texans shot a combined 58.6% in the second and third quarters to stretch its lead out to 21 points heading into the final 10 minutes. Tarleton State never trailed in Thursday’s contest. 

Senior forward Elise Turrubiates scored a season-high 19 points in her first start since Nov. 30, 2024, knocking down eight of her 11 shots. Sophomore center Faith Acker added 10 points and six rebounds while senior forward Alani Fluker added a season-high eight boards in just 11 minutes off the bench. 

Acker helped the Texans get off to a fast start, knocking down the first two buckets to put her team out in front. After Utah Tech tied it up, the Texans scored eight unanswered points capped off by a 3-pointer from senior guard Niki Van Wyk. Tarleton State’s defense held Utah Tech to 15.4% shooting in the opening period that gave the Texans a 12-5 advantage. 

Turrubiates began the second quarter scoring with a 3-pointer, with junior guard Karyn Sanford also hitting a beyond the arc trey to push the Texans’ lead to 13 points. Back-to-back baskets by Utah Tech allowed the lead to be cut to nine points, but Fluker found the inside basket off an assist from Turrubiates to put the Texans up 28-17. Senior guard Miannah Little, the reigning WAC Player of the Week, capped off the first half with a 3-pointer and the Texans went into the locker room with a nine-point advantage. 

After a Turrubiates 3-pointer to open the third quarter, senior guard Arieona Rosborough converted the fastbreak layup to put the Texans ahead by 14 points. Utah Tech responded with a 3-pointer, but the Texans answered back with an 11-0 scoring run over the next five minutes to go up by 22 points. 

Utah Tech ended the five-minute scoring drought with two consecutive baskets, but once again Tarleton State fired back furiously. Rosborough knocked down a pair of free throws before the Texans got the ball back for the final shot, which Turrubiates drilled with ease for a 53-32 advantage heading into the last 10 minutes. 

Turrubiates and Sanford scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter for the Texans, allowing Tarleton State to carry a 23-point advantage. Trailing by over 20 with under five minutes to play, Utah Tech went on a quick 13-0 scoring run in two minutes to cut it down to single digits with two minutes left. 

As she had all night, Turrubiates once again came through for the Texans. 

Getting the offensive board, the senior forward put it back up and in for the score to put the Texans back in front by 11. Utah Tech cut it to single digits once again, but the lead was too much for the Trailblazers to overcome and the Texans came out on top. 

Tarleton State wraps up its Utah road trip this week, facing Southern Utah on Saturday at 3 p.m. 

Postgame Notes

  • Tarleton State collected its fourth WAC win of the season and 13th win overall with a 70-61 victory at Utah Tech on Thursday at Burns Arena. It was the Texans’ first win in St. George, Utah, since the series began. 
  • Utah Tech trimmed a 23-point deficit into single digits in the fourth quarter, cutting it as close as to seven points. The Trailblazers shot 60% in the final 10 minutes while holding the Texans to just 36.8% from the floor. 
  • Senior forward Elise Turrubiates scored a season-high 19 points in her first start since Nov. 30, 2024, shooting over 72% from the floor. Turrubiates also matched a career-high five assists. 
  • Tarleton State won the rebounding battle 39-27, with senior forward Alani Fluker leading the Texans with a season-high eight rebounds in just 11 minutes. The Texans have outrebounded every WAC opponent they have played this season. 
  • The Texans shot 100% from the free throw line for the second consecutive game, going 6-for-6 from the charity strike. Tarleton State has gone 80 minutes and eight seconds without a missed free throw. 
  • Tarleton State dished out 18 assists on Thursday, with seven different Texans dishing out a dime. The Texans are 5-0 in games this season where Tarleton State records at least 18 assists.

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