By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com
STEPHENVILLE (January 19, 2017) — Tarleton State is alone again atop the Lone Star Conference.
The Texans flexed some muscle and limited the vaunted West Texas A&M offense, building a 26 point lead en rout to a 91-73 rout of the Buffaloes at Wisdom Gym Thursday.
No. 11 Tarleton (16-2, 7-1) limited No. 12 WTAMU (18-3, 6-2) to just 35 percent shooting and held reigning LSC Player of the Year David Chavlovich to a career-low three points. There were 13 players with more points than the LSC’s leading scorer, who was just 1-9 from the floor including 0-6 from 3.
Tarleton shot 49 percent and had five double-digit scorers while making and attempting a record 44-60 from the foul stripe. At one point before a meaningless late surge by the Buffs, there were as many total fouls – 60 – as WTAMU points.
The Texans, who led 86-60 before taking their foot off the gas, were led by Deshawn Riddick with 19 points because the junior guard was 15-16 from the foul stripe. Riddick hit circus floaters while falling down late in the shot clock twice – his only field goals – and did the rest of his damage from the foul line.
Chantz Chambers and Ridell Camidge scored 17 points each and Camidge did it in just 19 minutes because of early foul trouble.
Romond Jenkins dominated the paint with 16 points and 11 boards. He had his 10th double-double of the season secured with 10 minutes still to play, leading the Texans to a dominant 43-29 advantage on the backboards.
Redshirt freshman Josh Hawley scored 10 points and grabbed nine boards, missing his first career double-double by one rebound for the second time.
The Texans wasted no time jumping all over the Buffs with a 15-3 run to begin the game. Camidge had four points before drawing his second foul just four minutes into the game, and Jenkins started strong with seven quick points inside.
The Buffs closed the gap to 37-29 by halftime, but Tarleton began the second half with nine straight points and kept a wide gap the rest of the way.
The Texans have another tough test on Saturday when UT-Permian Basin rolls into Stephenville for a 4 p.m. battle following a 2 p.m. women’s contest. UTPB won easily at Texas A&M-Commerce Thursday, 84-61, and is tied for fourth with TAMUC in the conference. WTAMU is second a game behind Tarleton, with Cameron another half game back, half a game in front of UTPB and TAMUC.
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