- Box Score
STEPHENVILLE – The Tarleton women's basketball team lost in heartbreaking fashion as Southeastern Oklahoma's Jasmine Hughey launched a prayer from half-court as time expired, and it went in for the Savage Storm victory.
In a game that saw five lead changes and a TexAnn 16-point lead, Tarleton was unable to fight off crucial runs by Southeastern Oklahoma.
The game started with the TexAnns jumping out to a 21-5 lead at the 14:18 mark, hitting five three-pointers in the first six minutes. The Storm responded with a streak of their own cutting the lead to just seven with nine minutes remaining.
With all the momentum in Southeastern Oklahoma's favor, Tarleton struggled to put the ball in the basket. The TexAnns gave up an 11-0 run to the Storm, which tied the game up at 31-31 with 3:36 left in the first half.
Over the last three and half minutes, Tarleton and Southeastern Oklahoma battled back and forth for control going into the half, but it was the Storm who took over with a 38-37 advantage at the break.
The TexAnns out-shot Southeastern Oklahoma with a 40 percent mark compared to the Storm's 37.8 percentage, but rebounds made the difference with Southeastern Oklahoma out-rebounding Tarleton 29-14.
Morgan Stehling commanded the first 20 minutes, scoring 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from downtown. Sonya Sundberg added eight points for Tarleton, despite the TexAnns' half-time deficit.
The second half began in Southeastern Oklahoma's favor, with the Storm taking a 45-37 lead over the in the first 2:13. Tarleton never gave up however, hanging with the visitors throughout the second half, keeping within seven points the rest of the game.
The TexAnns trailed the Storm until taking back the lead with 4:52 left in the game, 68-66 on a pair of Shelby Adamson free throws.
Tarleton tried to pull away from Southeastern Oklahoma, but the Storm successfully countered every time the TexAnns were able to make a basket.
As the time ran down, Tarleton managed to take a 77-73 lead with 1:27 to play. Southeastern Oklahoma had multiple girls in foul trouble, but three missed free throws by the TexAnns in the last two minutes proved to be the difference in the game.
Trailing 77-75 with five seconds on the clock, Southeastern Oklahoma rebounded a missed free throw by Tarleton and took off for a last second effort. With pressure from the start and a defender in her face, the Storm's Jasmine Hughey heaved a half-court shot as time ran out and swished it for the game-winner.
The air left the stadium as Tarleton (4-1) dropped their first loss of the season 78-77 to Southeastern Oklahoma (5-1).
The valiant effort by the TexAnns was led by Shelby Adamson, who scored 21 points, dished out seven assists and recorded six steals, while Morgan Stehling and Brittnie Haley both contributed 13 points. Stehling drilled a trio of three-pointers and Haley grabbed seven rebounds, both highs for Tarleton.
Sonya Sundberg added eight points and three steals, as Kiara Wright contributed 10 points and six boards.
Overall, the TexAnns shot just 39.3 percent from the field, including 38.7 percent in the second half. Southeastern Oklahoma on the other hand, hit a staggering 68.2 percent of their shots in the second half on 15-22 shooting.
The major factor that kept Tarleton in the game with the Storm was their 22 points off turnovers and 13 fast-break points.
Women's head coach Ronnie Hearne was taken aback by the last-second loss, but spoke highly of his girls after the game.
“It was very tough to lose that way,” said Hearne. “We were attacking the basket and had the momentum, but the girl just knocked it down. We had a hand in her face, but she still hit it.”
The fast start proved to be futile for the TexAnns, but showed positives in Tarleton's game.
“We got off to a great start,” said Hearne. The girls were attacking the basket and getting to the line. We just couldn't put them away, but our girls played their hearts out.”
The TexAnns will finish up the three-game home stand by hosting East Central Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. in Wisdom Gym.
