STEPHENVILLE – In search of their second upset of a nationally ranked foe in the last week, Tarleton State dropped an overtime heartbreaker to No. 10 West Texas A&M 87-86 at Wisdom Gym Wednesday night.
 
After a layup put West Texas A&M up 67-62 with 7:26 to go in the game, the TexAnn defense stood tall and held the Lady Buffs without a field goal during a 10-2 run over the next 5:30 that put Tarleton on top 72-69 with under a minute to go.
 
Tarleton couldn't hit on the jumper on the offensive end and West Texas A&M hit a triple with four seconds left – their only made shot of the final seven minutes of regulation – to force overtime.
 
After falling behind by four to open the overtime, Tarleton State clawed right back with a pair of free throws from Bailey Wipff and, after one WT free throw, a 3-ball from Kathy Thomas to tie things up at 78-78 with 2:01 left to play.
 
The teams traded layups from their point guards to keep it knotted at 80-80 before a jam-packed final minute.
 
After WT struck for a pair of buckets, Ikpeaku Iwobi wrestled down an offensive rebound which she immediately turned into two Tarleton points to bring the TexAnns within two. On the next possession, Raven McGrath poked the ball away and was fouled while attempting to recover the loose ball – giving Tarleton possession but no free throws, due to no clear control.
 
With a chance to tie the game, Tarleton went to the free throw line on the next possession but was unable to convert as West Texas A&M made three free throws to just two for Tarleton and Thomas tipped in an offensive rebound at the buzzer to bring the final score to its 87-86 final.
 
Tarleton State's relentless effort was evident from the get-go as the TexAnns spent the entire first half erasing a deficit, which reached as many as 11 with 5:42 in the opening half. Thomas started a 15-3 run over the final five minutes of the first half to send the TexAnns into halftime with a 42-41 lead.
 
In the second half, Tarleton fought back from a seven-point deficit before the stand over the final seven minutes.
 
Thomas led the way with a valiant 24-point performance on 8-17 shooting from the floor and 7-8 shooting from the free throw line. Breanna Fuller turned in a career-high effort off the bench with 19 points and nine rebounds while Iwobi added 12 points and Wipff added 10.
 
Karli Moore (6), McGrath (6), Meagan O'Dell (4), Morgan Ashmore (3) and Travanti Downes (2) rounded out the scoring for Tarleton State.
 
As a team, Tarleton State shot 49 percent from the floor and won the points in the paint 44-38 and the rebounding battle 39-37. However, both teams surrendered 17 turnovers but WT won the points off turnovers 27-14.
 
The TexAnns will return to action Saturday when they head west to Portales, New Mexico for a 2 p.m. MST / 3 p.m. CST contest with the Zias.