STEPHENVILLE ? The Tarleton Texan men's basketball team will look to return to its winning ways Thursday, Dec. 4 when the Texans host Adams State at 8 p.m. as part of the annual Toys for Tots Drive in Wisdom Gym.

The Texans (4-2) are coming off back-to-back losses after losing on Saturday at St. Edward's, 88-70 where the Texans could not find consistency throughout the contest.

Fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game will receive a free admission, and hopefully they will see the Texans avoid the program's first third-straight loss regular season loss since 2000-01 season.  

Tarleton, who dropped out of the National Association of Basketball Coaches poll this week after being listed at No. 14 in last week's rankings, is averaging .435 from the floor, .311 from the three-point arc and .630 from the charity stripe this season while allowing opponents to shoot .391 from the field, .286 from the arc and .743 from the line.  

Eric Williams leads the Texans with 14.5 points per game, and he is second in rebounding with 9.8 boards per contest.  Jeremiah Wilson, who is averaging 11.3 points per game, leads the team in rebounding with 11.2 rebounds per outing.  Also averaging in double digits is Tyrone Cole-Scott (11.7) and Monquel Pegues (11.0).

Tarleton is outrebounding opponents 44.8 to 36.8 and outscoring them 76.5 to 68.2.  The Texans are second in the Lone Star Conference in field goal percentage defense, rebounding (44.8), offensive rebounds per game (17.0) and defensive rebounds per game (27.8).

ASC enters the contest 2-2 overall this season.  Their wins are over Panhandle State (85-77) and Colorado College (85-72) while the Grizzlies have lost to West Texas A&M (74-66) and Cal State-Dominguez Hills (83-58).

Sean Amos leads the team with 16.0 points per game while Seth Heinbaugh (13.8) and Adrian Davis (13.0) are also averaging in double figures.  Heinbuagh's 8.5 rebounds per game average leads the squad while Vitor de Zoppa (5.5) and Erick Seaman (5.3) are second and third, respectively.

The Grizzlies are averaging .448 from the field, .361 from the arc and .615 from the line while opponents average .443 from the floor, .333 from the arc and .723 from the stripe.  They are outrebounding foes 38.2 to 33.2 and being outscored 76.5 to 73.5.

The two teams have met on one previous occasion with Tarleton winning 62-56 in Durango, Colo. on No. 26, 1994.

The game will be broadcast on KSTV 93.1 FM and it is also Dublin night where Dublin citizens who provide proof of residence will get in free to the game.  The Tarleton Texans and TexAnns request that all fans who have already purchased tickets for the game or those who are scheduled to get in free will still bring a new, unwrapped toy to help Tarleton and the Stephenville Optimist Club help brighten the holiday season for area children.

Thursday's game will be the last for the Texans until Dec. 13 when the Texans face Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. at 4 p.m.