- Box Score

STEPHENVILLE – The No. 12 Texans hosted Jarvis Christian as part of their make-up game for losing Rhema Bible College on their schedule.  The Bulldogs probably wished they hadn't made the trip after getting thumped by the Texans, 85-41.

Tarleton was a little surprised in the beginning of the game as the Bulldogs came out with guns blazing and started firing from three-point land quickly in their possessions.  In fact, Jarvis Christian was 6-of-10 from three-point range in the first 10 minutes of play.

The Texans settled down despite trailing early and started to take advantage in the paint.  While the Bulldogs' game plan was from behind the arc, Tarleton pounded the ball inside to their bigs Zach nelson and Fabian Wilson.

Through the first 20 minutes of play, the Texans outscored the Bulldogs 24-4 in the paint.

Tarleton rebounded in the second portion of the first half as Jarvis Christian's shooting cooled off.

The Texans took back the lead at the 7:29 mark, 22-20 on a Wes Dipprey tip-in off a missed shot.  From there, Tarleton began to put together a decent lead before the half ran out.

By halftime, the Texans held a commanding 16-point lead, 38-22.  Tarleton finished the half on a 20-2 run over the final 10:17 of action.

Chris Harrell led all scorers with 11 points, while Dipprey added six points and four rebounds.

As a team, Tarleton shot 59.3 percent from the floor and held Jarvis Christian to 34.8 percent shooting.

The second half was all Texans as the hosts turned their 20-2 run into a 55-11 run over the next several minutes.

The Bulldogs shooting turned ice cold and the lack of an inside game doomed the visiting Red River Athletic Conference member.

Tarleton continued to press the tempo and got their lead to 30 points by the 11:57 mark.  From then on, the bench players came in the game to get some experience and the Texans cruised past the Bulldogs en route to an 85-41 victory.

As a team, Tarleton shot 56.4 percent from the floor and 85 percent from the free throw line.  The Texans dominated in the paint, outscoring the Bulldogs 48-8.  Tarleton also got 35 points from their bench and out-rebounded Jarvis Christian 50-16.

Harrell led all scorers with 18 points and added eight rebounds.  Shedrick Haynes contributed 14, while Zach Nelson added 13 points and seven boards.  Brian Word had eight points and six assists on the night as well.

Jarvis Christian got off to a fast start, but fell silent in the second half.  On the night, the Bulldogs went 9-for-34 from the three point line and shot 26.4 percent overall.  Jacoby Joseph led the way with 11 points.

The Texans improve to 9-1 on the year, which is the best start since the 2002-03 team started the year 19-1. 

Tarleton will return to action Monday, Dec. 19 when it hosts West Alabama out of the Gulf South Conference.  Tip-off is at 8 p.m. following the girls' game.  It will be dollar night with $1 hot dogs and $1 admission.

For more information regarding the 2011-12 Tarleton men's basketball season, check out TarletonSports.com.