STEPHENVILLE – No. 2 Tarleton improved to 4-0 with a 116-49 rout over Bacone on Saturday night at Wisdom Gym.
 
It was the highest point total for Tarleton since 2013-14 when they scored 118 on Southwestern Adventist in the season opener. The Texans have now won the first four games of the season in eight of the last 10 seasons.
 
10 players scored for the Texans, including seven in double figures. EJ Reed led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds.
 
Tarleton went on a 10-0 run in the first three minutes of the game to build a 12-3 lead over the Warriors (1-6) and would reach 33 points before Bacone would score double figures.
 
The Texans' defense also forced 14 first-half turnovers that led to nine points. Tarleton reached the half century mark in the first half on Michael Hardge's 3-pointer to give Tarleton a 50-16 lead. The Texans led 56-21 at the half while shooting 42 percent from the floor.
 
Tarleton didn't let up in the second half as they outscored Bacone 60-28. The Texans shot 69 percent in the second half and 53 percent on the game, which is a season high. Tarleton also made 15 three-pointers, two off the school record set back in 1996.
 
Jakob Damstra set a new career high for points with seven, all coming in the first half. Damstra also had five rebounds for Tarleton.
 
Playing in his 100^th career game for Tarleton, Michael Hardge had 11 points and a career-high 11 assists. Hardge is now 36-4 as a starter and 83-17 overall while wearing the Purple and White.
 
Nosa Ebomwonyi set a season high for points with 12 – all coming on three-pointers. The sophomore also had a career high in assists with three.
 
Charles Hill added 11 points and six rebounds, Malcolm Hamilton had 13 points and five rebounds, Chantz Chambers had 10 points and Deshawn Riddick nailed four three-pointers for a season high 13 points.
 
Xavier Smith and Sawyer Kipp each had eight points while Smith added a season-high eight rebounds.
 
The Texans forced Bacone into 21 turnovers for the game and held the Warriors to 30 percent shooting. Tarleton also won the rebound battle, 49-26.
 
The Texans will host its second tournament of the season, the Thanksgiving Classic, on November 27-28. Tarleton whill take on Colorado State-Pueblo at 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 and Ouachita Baptist at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28.