- Box Score
LAWTON, OKLA. – The TexAnn basketball team held on for a 59-50 win over Cameron Saturday in Lawton, Okla. Tarleton is now 3-0 on the season, while the Aggie drop to 1-4.
The last time the TexAnns and the Aggies faced off, Tarleton crushed Cameron in Stephenville 92-63 on Dec. 21, 2009. The all-time series between the two teams entering the game was tied up at nine wins apiece, with the TexAnns taking the one-game advantage with their victory Saturday.
Both teams struggled with errant shots and turnovers early, as the Aggies led the TexAnns 5-4 over the first five minutes of the game. A Shelby Adamson lay-up and a Jenna Harris jumper proved to be the only offense Tarleton could muster through the first media break.
With a narrow 6-5 lead and 13:39 on the clock, Tarleton head coach Ronnie Hearne called a time out to regroup the TexAnns. Unfortunately, Cameron responded with an eight-point run, taking a 13-6 advantage over Tarleton. However, the TexAnns fought back with a 13-4 rally of their own.
Tarleton was able to jump out to a 27-21 lead with a pair of Kelsey Benford lay-ups and four free throws by Adamson, but the Aggies roared back with two late baskets, making it 27-25 at the half.
Over the first 20 minutes, Adamson went 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, shooting all eight free throws for Tarleton, and totaling 12 points in the first half. Benford contributed eight points, to go along with three defensive rebounds, while Kiara Wright grabbed six boards.
As a team, Tarleton shot 34.6 percent from the floor, but out-rebounded Cameron 24-17 and scored 14 points in the paint.
Despite trailing for much of the first half, the TexAnns held steadfast in the paint defensively, forcing Cameron to take shots further from the basket than they would have liked. The Aggies were just 3-of-10 from behind the arc, and shot a 29.4 percent overall from the floor during the first 20 minutes.
The second half began much of the same way the first half started, with both teams trading punches, and neither team able to separate themselves. Tarleton took a 35-33 lead into the first media time out, and built on it with a 10-2 run.
Morgan Stehling had a strong showing in the second half, scoring seven straight Tarleton points during a 1:20 span, helping the TexAnns take an 11-point lead. Cameron hung with Tarleton however, cutting the deficit to four with 9:16 remaining in the game.
The physicality of the second half was apparent as the fouls increased for both teams, and it came down to points in the paint and free throws.
The TexAnns extended their lead again to double-digits with just four minutes left in the game, and the Aggies never recovered.
Tarleton won the first Lone Star Conference crossover match of the 2010-11 campaign 59-50.
Adamson led all scorers with 22 points on just 4-of-10 shooting, but sank all 14 of her free throws attempted. She also dished out six assists and grabbed six rebounds for the TexAnns.
Benford used a monstrous second half to total 18 points and eight rebounds on the night, while Morgan Stehling added 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Tarleton dominated in the post, scoring 32 points in the paint as a team.
Overall, Tarleton shot 39.6 percent from the field, while holding Cameron to just 32.2 percent and 17.6 percent from deep.
Sabelle Diata led the Aggies with 15 points and seven rebounds, with Lacy Reinke and Alexis Williams contributing 10 points each. Cameron struggled from behind the arc, going just 3-for-17 in the game.
"We didn't play our best, but I'm not disappointed," said Coach Hearne after the win. "It's a road victory in the Lone Star Conference and that means something."
Hearne also talked about the team's ability to hit clutch free throws, especially Adamson's 14-for-14 performance.
"We like to practice our free throws in game-like situations, when the girls are fatigued and under pressure," said Hearne. "Shelby (Adamson) was a great shooter before she came here, but was eager to listen and improve. It's a testament to her work ethic and dedication, but I thought all of our girls played hard tonight."
Tarleton will return home Tuesday, Nov. 30 when they will host St. Edward's at 6 p.m. in Wisdom Gym. It will be Autograph Night for the women's team, with the TexAnns signing autographs after the contest.
