LAS VEGAS – Using smothering defense against Southern Utah, Tarleton State Women’s Basketball held the Thunderbirds to just 40 points to advance to its first Division I conference tournament semifinal with a 59-40 win in the 2025 WAC Tournament at the Orleans Arena.
The 40 points allowed by the Texans are the fewest points allowed in a WAC Tournament game since 2008 (NM State 55, Hawai’i 40). Tarleton State held Southern Utah to just 15 made field goals and 28.3% shooting in Wednesday’s quarterfinal.
The Texans picked up its 20th win of the season, capturing its first 20-win season in the Division I Era. It is the first time the Texans have won 20 games since the 2019-20 season.
Senior guard Miannah Little scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half to lead the Texans, shooting 75% from the floor. Sophomore center Faith Acker also scored 16 points to go with eight rebounds, her second double-digit point outing in a WAC Tournament game. Senior forward Elise Turrubiates added 10 points to go with four assists in 36 minutes of action.
“Our kids were tremendous today on defense. They gave tremendous effort, just like they have all year long,” head coach Bill Brock said. “I just told the team this in the locker room, but anytime adversity has hit us we have always bounced back. When our shots weren’t going in early, our kids stayed locked in defensively. That just shows their great character and dedication to the game. I’m just so grateful to be their coach.”
After going four straight minutes without a basket on either side, Turrubiates got the Texans scoring going with a corner jumper. Southern Utah was quick to respond, however, knocking down a basket immediately to go with two free throws to take the early lead. The Thunderbirds forced the Texans into just 33.3% first quarter shooting to take a two-point lead after the first 10 minutes.
An Acker jump shot in the second quarter sparked a 5-0 scoring run that allowed the Texans to regain the advantage. Southern Utah tied the game up with a 3-pointer, but three straight Tarleton State free throws and a Little jumper allowed the Texans to quickly swing the momentum. Acker’s layup with 30 seconds left in the first half allowed the Texans to take a 21-16 lead going into the locker room.
Trading baskets to start the third quarter, Southern Utah refused to go down in the tournament without a fight. After the Thunderbirds made it a seven-point game with three and a half minutes left to play in the third quarter, the Texans got their offense ignited from a pair of seniors. Little drained a pair of 3-pointers while fellow senior Alani Fluker added two layups to make it a double-digit lead. Southern Utah responded with back-to-back baskets to make it a 37-31 game heading into the final period.
The Texans opened the final period on an 8-0 scoring run and never relinquished the double-digit advantage. Even after Southern Utah ended the Texans’ run off a 3-pointer, Little helped Tarleton State’s offense stay hot by knocking down a pair of 3-pointers. The Texans knocked in four straight layups, taking a 19-point lead in the closing seconds. Holding Southern Utah to just two made baskets in the final four minutes, Tarleton State advanced to the WAC Tournament semifinals with ease.
Tarleton State will play in the 2025 WAC Semifinals on Friday at 4:30 p.m. CT at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Texans will face either No. 3 seed UT Arlington or No. 6 seed California Baptist.
Postgame Notes
- Tarleton State defeated No. 7 seed Southern Utah 59-40 on Wednesday to advance to the WAC Tournament Semifinals. The Texans will play either No. 3 seed UT Arlington or No. 6 seed California Baptist on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
- The Texans advanced to their first conference tournament semifinal in the Division I Era. It is their first conference tournament semifinal appearance since the 2018-19 season.
- The Texans picked up its 20th win of the season, capturing its first 20-win season in the Division I Era. It is the first time the Texans have won 20 games since the 2019-20 season.
- Tarleton State allowed just 40 points to Southern Utah on Wednesday, the fewest allowed in a WAC Tournament game since 2008 (NM State 55, Hawai’i 40 – Quarterfinal 3). It is the eighth time this season the Texans have allowed fewer than 50 points in a game to the opposition.
- Senior guard Miannah Little led the Texans with 16 points, shooting 75% from the floor. Little scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half and recorded her second double-digit point outing in a WAC Tournament game.
- Sophomore center Faith Acker scored 16 points to go with eight rebounds in Wednesday’s game. It was her second double-digit point outing in a WAC Tournament game.
- Senior guard Jakoriah Long played all 40 minutes in a game for the second time this season (Nov. 29 vs. Delaware). Long was named to the All-WAC Second Team on Monday.
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