- Box Score
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The No. 18 Tarleton women's basketball team escaped with a 63-61 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma in the first round of the LSC Tournament Wednesday afternoon.
The TexAnns (24-3) entered the game with an underdog attitude after the Savage Storm handed Tarleton its first loss of the season in their only meeting earlier this year. With revenge on their mind and a chip on their shoulder, the TexAnns were focused and ready to get the 2011 Lone Star Conference Tournament underway.
Shelby Adamson got things started off quickly for the TexAnns with an old-fashioned three-point play with only 14 seconds ticking off the clock, but Southeastern Oklahoma responded immediately with a three-pointer to tie the game up.
After a Savage Storm free throw, Kelsey Benford gave Tarleton a 5-4 lead with a baby hook in the paint. SEOK responded with a four-point run, but Adamson stopped any more of a streak with yet another old-fashioned three-point play.
As the teams battled their way to the first media time out, Adamson's eight points gave Tarleton a slight 10-9 advantage.
The TexAnns came out of the break the same way they went into it with Adamson converting on a pair of free throws to make it 12-9 in Tarleton's favor. Kiara Wright and Brianna Bledsoe added contested layups off the bench to help maintain an 11-0 TexAnn run.
With the second media break coming at the 10:34 mark, Tarleton enjoyed a 20-11 lead and found themselves amidst a 15-2 run.
The TexAnns pushed their lead to double digits on a Bledsoe three-pointer to make it 23-13.
Sonya Sundberg provided the next four Tarleton points to maintain a 12-point advantage over the Savage Storm, but it was the defensive effort by the TexAnns that really disrupted SEOK. The Savage Storm only had 15 points through the first 14:15 of the game.
SEOK managed to cut the lead back down to 10 points with 5:37 remaining in the first half, but a Morgan Stehling layup and a Kiara Wright basket put the TexAnns up 14 again.
The Tarleton defense let up for just a bit as the clock ticked under three minutes, allowing the Savage Storm to mount a nine-point run and knocking the deficit down to five. That is how the half ended with the TexAnns heading into the locker room ahead 31-26.
As a team, Tarleton shot 38.7 percent from the field, compared to SEOK's 32.3 percent. The TexAnns only committed six turnovers in the first half, while forcing eight from the Savage Storm.
Adamson led the way through the first 20 minutes with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Wright added six points, while Bledsoe added five points and two steals. Benford and Stehling both crashed the boards for four rebounds apiece.
With a five-point disadvantage entering the second half, the Savage Storm struck first and narrowed the margin to just a single possession.
After an SEOK basket, Tarleton had given up an 11-0 run to the Savage Storm.
The two teams began to exchange buckets over the next few minutes as the TexAnns fought tooth and nail to keep even the slightest lead. The first ten made baskets in the second half came in alternating fashion, with neither team able to make a stop defensively.
By the first media time out and the 14:53 mark, Tarleton held on to a 40-36 advantage. A Sundberg free throw broke the alternating basket stretch and gave the TexAnns a five-point lead.
Tarleton began to build some momentum after the break with a pair of Adamson free throws and a Bledsoe jumper that capped a seven-point TexAnn run.
Lisa Parker hit a crucial three-pointer with 12:23 on the clock to put Tarleton back ahead by double digits, making it 49-38.
With the lead back above 10, the TexAnns began to be more aggressive offensively with their guards Sundberg and Adamson attacking the paint.
Unfortunately, the Savage Storm had the same idea and began mounting another comeback with an 11-0 run by the 8:28 mark. With this, SEOK was able to climb back within one, 53-52.
Wright's layup plus a free throw ended the 3:27 scoring drought for Tarleton with 8:11 remaining in the game.
As time became a factor and the game remained tight, both teams stepped up their intensity on the defensive end. Neither team scored a basket between 8:04 and 5:30 left in the game.
SEOK took their first lead since the 17:08 mark in the first half with a layup, but Benford answered immediately with a contested turn-around jumper of her own to put Tarleton back up 58-57.
Adamson hit a pair of clutch free throws with 3:03 remaining in the game to give the TexAnns a three-point advantage. On the other end, the Savage Storm missed 3-of-4 from the line for what could have put SEOK on top.
The Savage Storm hit a three pointer with 0:40 left in the game and gave themselves a 61-60 lead over the TexAnns.
That is when Wright, an experienced freshman for Tarleton, hit the most important free throws of the season to give the TexAnns a 62-61 lead with just 26 second remaining.
SEOK attempted to hold on for the last shot but a traveling call gave Tarleton back the ball with only 0:06 on the clock.
Parker hit one of two free throws, but a rebound by Wright sealed the fate for the TexAnns as they escaped with a 63-61 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma.
Tarleton was able to avenge their loss earlier in the season and more importantly, advanced to the semi-finals of the LSC Tournament.
As a team, the TexAnns shot 36.2 percent from the floor and hit 18 of their 20 free throw attempts. They were out-rebounded 44-30, but turned the ball over six fewer times than SEOK.
Adamson led the way with 19 points and went 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. Sundberg added 11 points, while Wright contributed 11 points and five rebounds, including the game clincher.
The Savage Storm had three players in double-figures, and shot 39.3 percent from the floor. However, missing some late free throws and 17 turnovers hurt them down the stretch.
With the win, Tarleton achieved the most wins since joining Division II with their 24th victory.
Coach Hearne spoke highly of his team's defensive efforts after the game.
“We had great play on the defensive end late in the game,” said Hearne. “Shelby had an important steal for us, Kelsey had some blocks, and Kiara got that last rebound that gave us the win. I am very proud of our girls for battling through the stretches where we weren't playing so well and look forward to playing again Friday. We beat UCO earlier in the season and they responded with a bunch of wins so I know they'll be looking to get revenge like we got today.”
Tarleton will have a day off before facing Central Oklahoma on Friday at 6 p.m in Bruin Fieldhouse.
