STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State Men’s and Women’s Basketball kicked off their 2026-27 seasons with the annual Midnight Madness at the EECU Center on Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Fans lined the arena to get in early and grab their free t-shirt giveaway presented by Niccoya. Once inside, Texan nation was entertained by DJ music until the event kicked off at 11 pm with Texan Cheer. After another brilliant performance, Foul Play showed their support playing before the first fan event of the night.
In the first-ever edition of Texan Family Feud, two teams competed against each other for the chance to win Twisted J concert tickets. In a highly-competitive battle between Chicken & Waffles and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em, Rock ‘Em came out the winners winning both rounds with the assistance of women’s associate head coach, Geoff Golden. Head coach, Bill Brock led Chicken and Waffles during the competition. In the fast money round, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em scored 250 points in the first session to take home the grand prize of Twisted J concert tickets.
As the clocked ticked closer to midnight, the fun continued. The much-awaited Haut three-point contest followed pitting Texan Corps of Cadet member, Cassidy Stewart against Texan football wide receiver, Bryce Parker. Parker was the winner of the five-ball, three-point shootout earning him a spot in the finals to compete against men’s head coach Eric Haut. The duo battled in a five-ball shootout with coach Haut being victorious, 4-3.
A great performance from the Texan Stars was next on the agenda followed by the Texan Stars. After the performance, famous performer Loop Rawlins made the crowd ooh and ahh with a live fire roping performance. As Loop finished with his signature cutting of the rose, the clock struck midnight and the men’s and women’s teams entered the arena for the first time this season.
The basketball portion commenced right at midnight with the women’s basketball hype video starting the madness. Then each of the women’s players came out to their walk out song through a pair of sparklers. The men’s squad started their night with the hype video and the introduction of the players and staff including first year head coach, Eric Haut.
The next game of the night found the top 3-point shooter across both squads. The first round of matchups found the top men’s and women’s shooter to earn a spot in the finals. On the women’s side, Caroline Lyles and Lucia Navarro battled for a spot in the finals. On the men’s side Leroy Kelly IV competed against Isaac Harrell. Caroline Lyles took home the women’s title with Harrell taking the men’s crown. In the finals Lyles knocked off the Harrell eight to six, to claim the overall three point crown.
The final contest of the night was the much-anticipated dunk contest. It pitted three of the top men’s dunkers against each other, TJ Cope, Ethan Carter and Trey Harris. Harris led after the first round with a 46-point dunk. In the finals, Cope brought the house down with a 49-point dunk leaping over Caleb Blackwell. He closed the night with another amazing dunk to end the night as the dunk champion.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will host an exhibition game on Oct. 24 at the EECU Center. The women will host Cameron at 2 p.m. with the men hosting Houston Christian at 4:15 p.m. The men will kick off the regular season with their first season opener at home since 2021 taking on Cameron at 7 p.m. The women will open their season at the EECU Center with an 11 a.m. tip against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Wednesday Nov. 4.
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