STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State Men’s Basketball hosted TCU in the first-ever basketball game in the EECU Center in front of a packed crowd on Sunday afternoon.
The Texans ultimately fell in the exhibition contest to the Horned Frogs, 88-54, in the first matchup between the two programs in Stephenville. Tarleton State will host East Texas A&M in their final exhibition of the season next Saturday, Oct. 25. TCU will host New Orleans in their regular season opener on Nov. 3.
We want people to come out and support our team,” said head coach Billy Gillispie. “We want the fans to come because we have a really good team. We want them to come here and proud of their team. It’s such a wonderful place (EECU Center). It’s awesome, it’s a showplace. Our fans are so proud of it, and everyone we talk to is excited to come inside and be a part of it. We are so lucky in having a place like this to play in.”
Dior Johnson led all scorers with 17 the only Texan to reach double figures. Johnson shot 7-for-11 from the floor including 2-for-3 from deep. DJ Dormu led the way with five boards and Matyas Vrabel tallied a block. Kaia Isaac dished out a team-best three assists.
“I thought it was good to be a part of an historic game with it being the first in this building,” said TCU head coach Jamie Dixon. “I’m glad that we did this and we were a part of this. It was important for our school. It’s in our region. What a beautiful place. What a beautiful arena. Talk about being committed to athletics and basketball here.”
Tarleton State scored the first-ever basket in the EECU Center. After a pass in the paint from Kaia Isaac, Cam Thomas floated a running jump shot into the cylinder for the first field goal made by any player. Just a few minutes later, Andy Sigiscar provided the first Texan slam in the new arena. Sigiscar found himself wide open in the middle of the paint after a pass from Cam McDowell and elevated for the two-hand slam, energizing the crowd and his teammates.
With the Texans trailing 14-8 nearing the midpoint of the first half, McDowell erupted on a six-point scoring spree. He notched the first Texan three-pointer on a step-back jumper. On the next possession, McDowell swiped a steal and took it cross court. The senior drove the lane, made the layup, and drew the contact to earn the and-one. He made the free throw to tie the Texans and the Horned Frogs at 14.
Johnson closed the half being the only Texan to score in the final three minutes. After knocking down his first triple. He followed it back up with another jumper. With 57 seconds, Johnson sunk his second three-pointer of the game to cut the Texan deficit to 10, 36-26.
At the halftime break, 2014 AGT finalists Christian and Scooby entertained the crowd with a several-minute performance. Christian Stoinev started the act with several acrobatic twists before welcoming out his miniature chihuahua, Scooby. Scooby entertained the crowd with a series of jumping through a small yellow hoop. Scooby then was able to balance on Christian’s back before his big finale of walking on a pair of basketballs.
TCU came out of the gates in the second half using a 28-4 to open their lead by the midpoint of the first half. At the 10-minute mark, Johnson drove the lane to make the layup and draw the foul for the and-one opportunity. He sunk his free throw to notch his 17th point of the contest.
The Horned Frogs spread out their lead to ultimately take the victory, 88-54 to reclaim the series lead, 2-1. TCU had 15 players see action in the contest with 12 scoring. 14 different Texans appeared in the game with 10 scoring at least one point.
TCU held the advantage on the battle of the boards, 39-27. The Horned Frogs won the turnover battle, 17-10 and held an advantage in steals, 9-2.
Tarleton State will be back in action in six days, on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. in their final exhibition of the season against East Texas A&M in the EECU Center.
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