STEPHENVILLE – Carrying a one-point lead into the fourth quarter, Tarleton State Women’s Basketball held firm and defeated UT Arlington 66-57 in the Western Athletic Conference opener on Monday night at the EECU Center.
The win marks the first conference victory for the Texans in men’s or women’s basketball at the EECU Center. With the win, Tarleton State picked up its first win in a WAC opener since joining the league in 2020-21.
Four Texan starters posted double-digit point games, led by junior forward Shadasia Brackens with her sixth double-double of the season. Brackens had 14 points and 11 rebounds, becoming the first Texan since 2021 to post a double-double in a conference opener (Marissa Escamilla – 16 points, 12 rebounds vs. CBU).
Freshman center Elodie Lutbert had her second game with five blocks in addition to 11 points and seven rebounds. Lutbert’s five blocks on Monday marked the first time since 2009 a Texan recorded five blocks in a conference opener (5, JoAnne Jones vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville). Senior guards Jakoriah Long and Kyriana Jones added 13 points each.
“We didn’t do anything special tonight, but we protected our home floor and I’m very pleased with that,” head coach Bill Brock said. “UTA is a very good man-to-man defensive team and you have to be able to handle the basketball against their pressure. To be a good guard at this level, you have to be able to take a hit and keep on going. I thought our kids did that tonight.”
UTA struck first by scoring the first two baskets to go with a 3-pointer for a quick five-point lead. Tarleton State cut the deficit to one, but the Lady Mavs scored nine unanswered points to go out in front by 10. A buzzer-beating layup from Jones allowed the Texans to trim the deficit back down to single digits before the opening period came to a close.
A pair of baskets started a second quarter scoring run for the Texans, with a steal from junior forward Allie Myers turning into a Jones 3-pointer that forced UTA to call a timeout. UTA came out of the timeout scoring three straight baskets to extend the lead, but Jones answered again with another triple.
Foul trouble threatened the Texans early, with three starters having two fouls that forced the bench to step up. The Texans’ bench rose to the challenge.
Senior guard Luka Malinka found freshman guard Kristian Hieskill for an open 3-pointer to make it a one-point game. Malinka followed suit by knocking down a jumper from beyond the arc to give the Texans their first lead of the game. The Texans’ defense forced UTA to miss their final eight shots of the half to take a 28-27 halftime lead.
A trio of baskets allowed UTA to take an early second half lead, but Long answered with a basket while drawing the foul to tie the game. Brackens and Lutbert helped the Texans stay out in front by combining for the next nine points, making it a 42-40 game six minutes into the second half.
UTA took advantage of two consecutive layups before a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Mar’Cyah Willis gave the Texans a one-point edge. The Lady Mavs responded to a Texans’ basket with a score of their own to make it a one-point game at the end of the third quarter.
The Texans had the lead entering the fourth quarter in their last game against Montana, with the opposition taking control in the final period that resulted in an overtime loss for the Purple and White. That narrative was changed on Monday night.
Brackens opened the final period with a basket while drawing the foul, with Tarleton State scoring two more baskets to make it a six-point game. UTA got a bucket before Long knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Texans in front 57-50. The Lady Mavs refused to quit, scoring back-to-back baskets to make it a one-possession game.
Long helped the Texans weather UTA’s response, answering with another 3-pointer to make it a six-point game. The Texans knocked down six of their final eight free throws to pull away with the nine-point win.
Tarleton State starts a three-game WAC road trip to begin the 2026 calendar year, beginning at Utah Valley on New Year’s Day.
Postgame Notes
- Tarleton State began Western Athletic Conference play in the win column, defeating UT Arlington 66-57 at the EECU Center in the conference opener Monday night. This was the first conference win for the Texans in the brand new EECU Center.
- The Texans picked up their first win in a WAC opener since joining the conference. It is their first win in a conference opener since Nov. 29, 2018 (vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville – W, 60-44).
- Junior forward Shadasia Brackens recorded her sixth double-double, leading the Texans with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She is the first Texan since 2021 to have a double-double in a conference opener (Marissa Escamilla – 16 points, 12 rebounds vs. CBU).
- Brackens has reached six double-doubles faster than any Texan since 2016-17. She is the first Texan since Mackenzie Hailey to have at least six double-doubles through 12 games (7).
- Freshman center Elodie Lutbert recorded five blocks to go with 11 points and seven rebounds. Lutbert is the first Texan in the Division I era and first since 2009 to block five shots in a conference opener (5, JoAnne Jones vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville).
- Lutbert tallied her second game with five blocks on Monday. She is the first Texan since 2021-22 to have multiple five block games in a season (Seynabou Thiam, 4).
- Junior forward Allie Myers grabbed eight rebounds, her most since the season opener. Myers posted +12 in the plus/minus column, the highest among any player on the floor.
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