STEPHENVILLE - The last time a Tarleton TexAnn basketball team started the season off 9-4 prior to this year was in 1993-94, the year prior to Tarleton joining the NCAA. Tarleton has a chance to improve that record this week as the TexAnns host Central Oklahoma Thursday, Jan. 12 and Northeastern State Saturday, Jan. 14. Both games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
The TexAnns, who have won five of their last six contests, are looking to increase their home winning streak to four and five games this weekend.
Tarleton is led by this week's Lone Star Conference South Division Player of the Week, Iveta Griffin. The senior is averaging 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest for the TexAnns. Also averaging in double digits is Amanda Franklin (13.5), Katie Crawford (11.8) and Isha Brown (10.7). Brown is second in rebounding with 5.5 per game while Franklin is third with 5.2 boards per outing.
Crawford leads the purple and white with 51 assists as Franklin tops the squad with 23 steals. Brown's .676 shooting percentage from the field is tops on the team and second in the LSC. Crawford is averaging a league-high .470 from the arc this season.
Tarleton is averaging .426 from the field, .346 from the three-point arc and .726 from the charity stripe. Opponents are averaging .428 from the floor, .339 from beyond the arc and .698 from the line. The TexAnns are outrebounding opponents 34.8 to 34.4 and outscoring them 68.0 to 65.2.
After finishing the 2004-05 season 17-10, Central Oklahoma is off to a 3-10 start in 2005-06, including winning just one of its last seven contests. The Bronchos did break a six-game losing streak on Saturday with an 84-69 victory over Eastern New Mexico in Edmond, Okla. Two days prior, UCO dropped a 76-64 decision to West Texas A&M.
The Bronchos are led by Meghan Craig with 17.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per outing. Lizzie Brenner is the only other player in double figures with 11.2 points. Lacie Allen is second with 5.3 rebounds per contest.
Brenner leads the team with 23 steals as Jennifer Bullis' 40 assists tops the squad.
UCO is averaging .399 from the floor, .346 from the arc and .736 from the free throw line while allowing .439 from the field, .346 from the arc and .731 from the stripe. The Bronchos are being outrebounded 39.5 to 33.7 and they are being outscored 74.0 to 68.8.
The two teams split last season with both teams winning at home. Tarleton defeated UCO (63-61) on jan. 22 before losing in Edmond, Okla. on Feb. 12 (73-71). The Bronchos lead the all-time series, 8-7.
The TexAnns and the Lady Reds of Northeastern State, who are scheduled to play at Midwestern State Thursday at 6 p.m., have met on nine prior occasions with NSU leading the all-time series, 5-4. Last season, the two teams split with the home team winning both contests. The Lady Reds won in Tahlequah, Okla. on Jan. 20 (57-41) while the TexAnns defeated the visitors in Stephenville on Feb. 10 (52-49).
This season, the Lady Reds enter the weekend with a 10-3 record after winning their last four contests, including a 64-54 victory at home over Eastern New Mexico last Thursday and a 68-60 win over West Texas A&M last Saturday.
Verressa Gaston leads the squad with 13.2 points, and she is the only Lady Red in double digits. Bobby Jo Truelove and Katrina Webb are both second with 9.8 points apiece. Cara Busson leads the team with 5.9 rebounds per outing while Gaston is second with 5.7.
Monica Atilio and Busson are tied for the top spot in steals with 16 each, and Busson leads the squad with 60 assists this season.
The Lady Reds are averaging .416 from the field, .326 from the arc and .648 from the line while allowing foes to shoot .363 from the floor, .254 from the arc and .665 from the stripe. NSU is outscoring opponents 60.7 to 54.1, but the Lady Reds are being outrebounded 36.4 to 35.4.
