STEPHENVILLE – The second half of Tarleton's New Year's Eve Dollar-Day Doubleheader had some interesting twists.
Dallas Christian only had five players – three of which finished the game with four fouls – and managed to keep the game within seven points most of the way through the first half. Oh, and there was a blue rabbit in the stands of Wisdom Gym.
The only thing that was “business as usual” about Saturday's game was the final outcome as the No. 10 Tarleton Texans (11-1, 4-0) use a 44-13 second half run to cruise past the Dallas Christian Crusaders (4-16) 85-41.
Men's Basketball vs. Dallas Christian Gallery
“They're a little under-manned but they played very hard,” said Tarleton head coach
Lonn Reisman. “But that's no surprise because they always play very hard. They have a quality group and they should find some success in their league.
“We played much harder in the second half and got after it on the defensive end,” he continued. “I was disgusted with our defensive effort in the first half, but we turned it around and were able to take control of the game.”
Tarleton opened the game with a 13-0 run before Dallas Christian but the Crusaders clawed back with a 28-23 run to cut the Tarleton lead to just seven points with 1:31 left.
The Texans scored six straight before the break to take a 41-28 lead into the half.
Out of the break, TD Harrell drained a layup to give the Texans a 15-point lead to start the big second half surge.
Fabian Wilson led all scorers with 19 points while Harrell (11),
Wes Dipprey (10) and Shedrick Haynes (10) also cracked double figures.
Dipprey and Harrell were the top rebounders with seven each.
For the Crusaders, Malcom McCarty led DCC with 13 points while Isaac Gonzalez had 10. All five starters were the only players suited out for the game.
Tarleton returns to action Wednesday in Portales, N.M. for a 6:30 p.m. CST match with Eastern New Mexico.
A live broadcast can be heard on KSTV 93.1 FM or on TarletonSports.com.
