STEPHENVILLE – No. 1 Tarleton overcame a double-digit second-half deficit to force overtime against Colorado State-Pueblo, but a buzzer-beating 3-point basket with 0.3 seconds left gave CSU-Pueblo an 87-84 win.
 
The loss snapped a 33-game non-conference home winning streak for Tarleton (4-1) and ended the Texans' 13-game home winning streak.
 
Tarleton trailed 55-44 with 12 minutes left in the game but in the final minute the Texans tied the score at 73-73 on Malcolm Hamilton's alley-oop dunk from Michael Hardge. It was the first time Tarleton didn't trail since 15-15 in the first half. Tarleton hadn't played an overtime game since 2013-14 against Cameron on Feb. 8.
 
In overtime, the Texans took its first lead since 13-12 in the first half on a layup by Hamilton to make it 75-73. Trailing 84-81 with 13 seconds left, Hardge, who didn't make a field goal in regulation, drilled a wide open 3-pointer to tie the game. Hardge finished with six points, all coming in overtime, and four assist.
 
The Texans struggled shooting the ball in the first half, only converting on 38 percent from the field and 2-of-12 shooting behind the arc (16 percent). CSU-Pueblo, however, shot 56 percent from the field and 55 percent on 3-pointers to lead 42-35 at the half.
 
EJ Reed led all scorers with 22 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Reed also had three steals and two blocks. Xavier Smith registered his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds (seven offensive).
 
Tarleton finished the game shooting 39 percent from the field and 20 percent on 3-pointers – both are season lows.
 
Hamilton had 18 points, a season-high eight rebounds and four assists. Chantz Chambers and Charles Hill added seven points for the Texans.
 
Tarleton will take on Ouachita Baptist on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Wisdom Gym.