- Box Score
WEATHERFORD, OKLA. – The TexAnns upset the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma 67-53 in their own gym, handing the Lone Star Conference North Division leaders their first loss of the season.
The Bulldogs came into the game on a six-game winning streak, their best start since the 1995 season. Southwestern Oklahoma typically play a different style of basketball than Tarleton had seen this season, involving a fast-paced, run-and-gun offense.
The TexAnns knew they would have their hands full, but were able to pull out to a 4-3 lead over the first four minutes of play, with both teams struggling to get into rhythm offensively. Contrary to the Bulldogs' preferred tempo, the game started off slow and wearisome for the hosts, while Tarleton was fine with setting up and running their offense.
SWOSU was able to take a 9-6 lead over the TexAnns when Sumiya Darden converted on an old-fashioned three-point play to take an advantage with 13:38 remaining in the first half. That sparked a seven-point run, before Lisa Parker's three-pointer brought Tarleton within two at the 11:27 mark.
The Bulldogs' junior center Darden responded with seven straight points in the game, followed by a six-point Tarleton rally on a Crystal Atwood jumper and a pair of Shelby Adamson layups that made it 18-15 in SWOSU's favor at the 7:51 mark.
Attempting to take over the momentum to the TexAnns, Brianna Bledsoe hit a clutch three-pointer and Kiara Wright finished strong in the paint to give Tarleton a 23-20 lead with five minutes remaining in the half, their first since leading 6-4 at the 15:19 mark.
Tarleton finished the first half on a three by Morgan Stehling and a layup by Bledsoe, giving the TexAnns a 31-26 lead at the break.
Adamson and Sundberg both recorded six points each in the first 20 minutes, while Parker led Tarleton with five rebounds.
On the other side, it was all Darden as she scored 14 points and grabbed eight boards, including 12 straight points for the Bulldogs over a 4:13 stretch.
The TexAnns were out-shot by SWOSU with a 38.7 percentage compared to the Bulldogs' 40.9, but hit four three's for the five-point advantage.
Tarleton was able to get to the line early in the second half, hitting eight free throws over the first four minutes, extending their lead to 45-32 by the 15:14 mark.
It was much of the same over the next five minutes, as the TexAnns went on a 12-2 run, pushing their lead to 56-35, hitting seven more free throws during that span.
Using the charity stripe and SWOSU's inability to get their leading scorer Darden the ball in the paint, Tarleton kept adding to their already impressive 20-point lead.
The Bulldogs never gave up though, and were able to mount a 12-point run, narrowing the TexAnns' lead to just 10 points with 4:23 to play in the game. Tarleton did not help their own cause with an 8:46 drought without a field goal, but did manage a couple of free throws during that stretch.
The TexAnns saw their lead dwindle to single digits with under two minutes to play, as SWOSU closed the gap to 61-52. But in the end, Tarleton's lead was just too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. The TexAnns defeated SWOSU 67-53.
Adamson led all scorers with 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting, but went 12-fo-14 from the free throw line, her bread and butter so far this season. Brittnie Haley contributed 12 points of her own, while Sundberg scored nine and Stehling scored eight.
Parker, Stehling, and Adamson each grabbed six rebounds for the TexAnns, while Sundberg led the team with four assists.
Overall, Tarleton shot 37.7 percent from the field and went 23-32 from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs (6-1) were led by Darden's 20 points, 14 of which came in the first half, while the 5-10 junior grabbed an impressive 16 rebounds in the game. Ashley Rush contributed 11 points to SWOSU's effort, but the Bulldogs dropped their first game of the season.
A big part of SWOSU's game entering the contest was their 47 percent from behind the arc, but Tarleton held the Bulldogs to 0-for-6 from deep.
Senior guard Sonya Sundberg talked about the intensity of the game throughout the contest.
“It felt like a two-point game the entire time,” said Sundberg. “We knew they were a good three-point shooting team and that they could shoot their way back into it, but we just stayed focused.”
The TexAnns' also did a good job making adjustments at half on SWOSU center Sumiya Darden, who scored 14 points in the first and just six in the second.
“Our post players stepped up in the second half,” said Sundberg. “We had the scouting report on (Darden) and just made it a goal in the second half to not let her get easy baskets.”
Tarleton's women team is off for finals, and will next play against Texas Woman's on Monday, Dec. 20 in Wisdom Gym. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. for the TexAnns and the Pioneers.
