- Box Score
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Tarleton Texans returned to the win column Saturday as they wrapped up Lone Star Conference crossover action with a 75-49 victory at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.
The Texans improved to 9-3 on the season with the win that might have been Tareleton's most complete game of the season.
“I am very pleased with the way we played tonight,” said Tarleton head coach Lonn Reisman. “I am starting to see confidence in our players, especially when they come off the bench. We are still a work in progress, but I am happy with where we are right now.”
The Texans outscored the RiverHawks 28-8 in the paint and 27-3 off turnovers as Tarleton forced 20 turnovers while only turning it over eight times.
A free throw by Corin Henry started the scoring before Dominique Gaines had a three and a layup to make it 5-1 in favor of the home team. Wale Ogunoye cut the lead to one with a three-point play the hard way at 17:03 (5-4). Henry gave the Texans a 6-5 lead 40 seconds later with a jumper, but a three by Antoine Branch returned the lead to NSU.
Two free throws by Devon Hills had two free throws at 14:58 to tie the game at eight before a free throw by Gaines at 14:33 and a layup by Fabian Wilson gave the Texans a 10-9 lead with 13:29 on the clock. Wilson had another bucket for Tarleton, but Ethan Anderson tied the game with a three (12-12) at 12:19.
The RiverHawks then took off and scored the next six points to take an 18-12 lead at 9:55. A thre by Henry followed by his own jumper cut the lead to one. Jermaine Bransford had a jumper to push the home team's lead to three (20-17). Tarleton then scored the next 16 points.
Nick Mosley, Wes Dipprey, Ogunoye, Carrington Tankson, Chris Harrell and Darrion Washington all scored during the run to put Tarleton ahead 33-20 with 1:48 on the clock. Two free throws by Gaines ended the scoring drought for the RiverHawks, but Tankson, Dipprey and Henry scored to close the half and give the Texans a 39-22 lead at the half.
Tarleton continued the assault in the second half, stretching the run to 32-4 with a dunk and a three by Hills to put the Texans up 44-22 with 17:21 remaining in the contest. Justin Johnson and Coleman Furst traded threes before Gaines had a free throw. Washington had a three at 13:50 before Johnson had a jumper for the home team. Fabian Wilson connected on a three for Tarleton to give the Texans a 24-point advantage, 52-28.
NSU would cut the lead to 17 with 9:58 on the clock, but that would be as close as the RiverHawks would get as the Texans scored the next six points on back-to-back threes by Harrell. After a free throw by Johnson, Warren Webb had a three and then two free throws. Harrell added a jumper to put the lead at 29.
The two teams would trade points, including a three by Wilson that would give the Texans a 30-point advantage – their biggest of the night at 3:05 (73-43). NSU would score the last three points on free throws as Tarleton won 75-49.
The Texans were led by Harrell with 11 points and Henry with 10. Hills led the team with four rebounds as Tarleton outrebounded the opponent 25-24.
The Texans averaged .509 from the floor (28-55), .455 from the three-point arc (10-22) and .750 from the charity stripe (9-12).
NSU was led by Gaines with 22 points and seven rebounds. No other RiverHawk had double digits.
The home team averaged .452 from the field (14-31), .412 from the arc (7-17) and .538 from the line (14-26).
The Texans will return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Abilene at Abilene Christian. Tip-off for the first LSC South Division contest is set for 7:30 p.m.
