- Box Score

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The No. 18 Tarleton women's basketball team came up just short on Friday night in Bartlesville as they fell to Central Oklahoma in double overtime, 74-70.

The TexAnns (24-4) got on the board first with a three-pointer by Shelby Adamson at the 19:15 mark of what was up to that point, a physical beginning.

Central Oklahoma (20-8) took advantage inside early, responding with a pair of layups by Alex Richardson and a bucket by LSC North Player of the Year Ashley Beckley, giving the Bronchos a 6-3 lead. They took that lead into the first media time out.

If Tarleton was going to win the game, it was going to have to find a way to limit UCO's touches inside.

Tara Towns broke an 8-0 Broncho run when she took a rebound coast-to-coast for a layup and Tarleton's first basket in over four minutes.

The TexAnns' offensive prowess didn't last long though as UCO extended their lead to 11-6 by the 13:55 mark.

Tarleton began to show life with 13:39 on the clock starting with a pair of free throws by Adamson. Morgan Stehling came off the bench and added a jumper in the lane to pull the TexAnns within one, 11-10.

UCO was still able to score in the paint, despite Tarleton's double-teaming of the Broncho bigs.

With the shot clock running out, Adamson hit another big shot with a runner in the paint to make it a 13-12 ball game at the 11:41 mark.

Both teams remained steadfast defensively, but it was Tarleton that struck next when Adamson's layup with 8:45 remaining gave the TexAnns their first lead since the 18:05 mark. 

Brianna Bledsoe followed that up with her first shot of the game, a huge three-pointer at the time of the key to make it 17-13 in Tarleton's favor. It also capped a 7-0 TexAnn run.

The Bronchos managed to climb back into the game though, cutting down on Tarleton's lead at the free throw line.

Kiara Wright converted on an old-fashioned three-point play to put the TexAnns back up 20-16.

At the 4:38 mark, UCO scored its 18^th point in the paint to take back a 22-20 lead, as part of an 11-2 Broncho run.

Towns and Stehling provided some crucial buckets for Tarleton down the stretch in the first half, while the TexAnns struggled to find the right lineup to stop the balanced attack of UCO.

With 1:16 on the clock, Tarleton trailed 28-24 and need the next minute to go well for any momentum heading into the locker room.   Tomika Lynce made one of two from the line to make it 28-25, but the Bronchos matched it to maintain a four-point differential.

Another two free throws by Lynce gave Tarleton the hope they needed as they trailed by just one basket after the first 20 minutes.

The TexAnns struggled from the field in the first half, shooting just 29.0 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from behind the arc. Tarleton committed four fewer turnovers through the first 20 minutes, but was out-rebounded by UCO, 27-19.

Adamson led the TexAnns in scoring with nine points, while three other players contributed four points each. Wright provided Tarleton some toughness on both ends of the court with two assists, two steals and three rebounds. 

The TexAnns committed just six turnovers in the first half while holding UCO to 0-of-6 from the three-point line.

Tarleton got off to a slow start in the second half, while UCO continued to roll along. The Bronchos hit the first two baskets of the second half to pull out to a 33-27 advantage. 

The TexAnns stayed scoreless until the 17:20 mark when Adamson converted on one of two from the charity stripe. Wright added a tough basket in the paint to make it a 33-30 ball game with 16:20 on the clock.

After mounting a comeback, Tarleton got a huge basket plus the foul from Stehling, which tied the game back up at 33-33 with 15:14 left in the game.

From there, the two teams began trading baskets with both focusing on the play in the paint.

After a big three-pointer by the Bronchos, Lynce hit a runner from the base line, then followed that up with a great defensive effort, drawing a charge on the other end.

Stehling added a jumper to give the TexAnns a 39-38 lead with 12:56 on the clock. Tarleton was starting to get a flow going offensively, while UCO felt the pressure building.

Lynce provided another bucket on a fast-break to put the TexAnns ahead 41-38 entering the second media time out of the half.

Two Broncho free throws were answered with a Stehling jumper as the shot clock ran down, to maintain the scoring margin. 

UCO made another bucket to cut the lead down to one, but Stehling hit a huge three on the inbounds pass from Lisa Parker to make it 46-42 with 9:14 remaining. That was capped off with a layup and the foul from Wright, giving Tarleton their biggest lead of the game, 49-42.

The TexAnns came out of the third media time out with a 49-44 lead, but Adamson hit two clutch free throws to make it 51-44.

That is when Tarleton took a huge blow with the fouling out of senior center Kelsey Benford. This put the defensive pressure on the shoulders of the freshman Wright and the sophomore Lynce.

Some questionable calls on both ends of the court put Tarleton in a bind with their lead diminishing and their lineup shrinking.

With the momentum in UCO's favor, Stehling hit another big three at the 5:55 mark to put Tarleton ahead 54-47. 

The Bronchos answered quickly however, with a basket in the paint by Richardson and a free throw by Beckley, narrowing the deficit to just four points.

Once again, it was Stehling and Beckley that traded buckets with neither team willing to give up.

As the final media time out rolled around, Tarleton held a narrow 56-52 lead over UCO, setting up for a dramatic finish.

The Bronchos came out of the break with a basket by Richardson, making it a two-point ball game with under two minutes to play.

At the 1:52 mark, Beckley hit a jumper in the paint, tying the game up at 56-56 with time becoming a factor.

The next 1:44 flew by with neither team able to budge, but it was the TexAnns that had the ball with 0:08 on the clock.

Head coach Ronnie Hearne called a time out to set up a play. What Tarleton drew up was a shot for Parker in the corner, but with a hand in her face, she was only able to draw iron. The putback by Stehling was also contested and short, leading to the second overtime game for the TexAnns this season.

UCO had played one overtime game of their own and won it, with a 76-71 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma. Tarleton's only overtime game was a double-overtime thriller in Stephenville with the TexAnns escaping with a nine-point win over West Texas A&M.

Wright opened up the scoring in overtime with a pair of free throws, but UCO answered immediately with a basket of their own.

Beckley gave the Bronchos a 59-58 lead at the 3:02 mark with a free throw, but Wright gave the TexAnns back the lead with a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession.

Wright followed that up with a jumper down the baseline as she fell to the floor, making it 62-59 in Tarleton's favor.

But once again, Richardson answered with an acrobatic jumper at the other end.

Tarleton was handed another crushing blow when they tried to respond with the fouling out by Wright, who had taken over offensive responsibilities in overtime.

On top of that, UCO added insult to injury when they took the lead with a Richardson bucket and less than a minute remaining.

It wasn't long however before the TexAnns had another shot at sealing their fate when Lynce approached the free throw line with 0:28 on the clock. She hit the first free throw, but the second attempt rimmed out. Luckily, Stehling was there for the rebound, giving Tarleton another chance at victory.

The shot clock was off and the TexAnns held the ball for the last opportunity. Adamson drove the lane, but was called for a charge, giving UCO the ball. Incidentally, Adamson also fouled out for Tarleton, taking away three of the TexAnns' offensive threats.

That left 0:04 on the clock for the Bronchos, who had to drive the length of the floor. Fortunately for Tarleton, UCO's half-court lob missed the basket completely, meaning double-overtime once again.

The TexAnns came into double-overtime with just one starter on the court, senior Sonya Sundberg.

Both teams got off to a rough start in the second overtime with the intensity up and pressure at an all-time high.

UCO managed to strike first with a three-pointer, but Sundberg chose an opportune time to hit her first shot of the game with a three at the other end.

The feeling did not last long however, as the Bronchos hit a jumper plus the free throw to take back the three-point lead.

Lynce quickly cut the lead to one with a layup, but UCO answered yet again to make it 71-68 and under 1:30 to play.

Richardson stepped up again for the Bronchos and hit one of two from the line, pushing their advantage to four points.

With 0:28 on the clock and Tarleton in a hole, Lynce hit the first of two free throws. She then missed the second on purpose in order for a chance at a three, but UCO was able to come down with the board.

At the other end, Richardson missed both free throws, leaving room for the TexAnns. A good-look by Towns just narrowly rolled out and once again, UCO would rebound the ball and make a trip to the free throw line. This time though, the Bronchos converted and took a 74-69 lead with under ten seconds remaining.

Parker added a free throw, but it would prove to be fruitless as the TexAnns fell to the Bronchos, 74-70.

Tarleton shot just 30.7 percent from the field on the night, and went 5-of-21 from behind the arc. They committed five fewer turnovers than the Bronchos, but were out-rebounded, 53-49.

Stehling led the TexAnns with 19 points, to go along with eight rebounds. Wright added 15 points and eight boards, while Adamson chipped in 14 points and Lynce chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.

Tarleton's bench contributed 34 of the TexAnns 70 points, but UCO dominated in the paint with 48 of their 74 points coming inside.

The duo of Richardson and Beckley combined for 51 points and 32 rebounds, an unstoppable combo that will give their next opponent major problems. The Bronchos just flat-out shot better from the field, hitting 43.1 percent of their shots and 16-of-25 from the free throw line.

It was a sad day for the two Tarleton seniors, Sundberg and Benford, who were looking to add an LSC Tournament championship to their LSC South Division title. But it is not the last basketball for the TexAnns, as they are currently seeded No. 2 in the South Central Region and the NCAA tournament selection show coming on Sunday night.

Coach Hearne spoke of his girls' effort at the post-game press conference.

“It was a very physical game,” said Hearne. “We had two starting posts and our first team all-conference guard foul out which put us in a bind. That put a 5'7” girl on a 6'2” girl defensively.”

“We had a game plan and UCO had a different game plan,” said Adamson. “Unfortunately, there's worked. But we have next week to prepare for an important week of practice ahead.”

Stehling also spoke about the chance at the regional tournament.

“It was a tough, physical game and they just got the best of us,” said Stehling. “We have to let it go and get ready for next week. We are not done yet.”

With two senior's playing in their last LSC Tournament game, Hearne also discussed how this group of girls is different from previous years.

“I am very blessed to have coached this group,” said Hearne. “They are the best group of girls on and off the court that I have ever had. We have more basketball to play though so we have to get ready.”

The NCAA Division II tournament selection show is Sunday and that will decide Tarleton's next opponent. 

Be sure to check TarletonSports.com for updates and further information regarding the 2010-11 Tarleton TexAnn season.