PUEBLO, Colo.  – Despite jumping out to a 19-13 advantage in the opening quarter, the TexAnns couldn't hold on in a 76-64 loss to Colorado State-Pueblo in the Al Kaly Shrine Classic finale Saturday night.
 
The TexAnns came out on fire against the Thunderwolves, who entered the game receiving votes in the national WBCA Top-25 poll, by shooting .545 from the floor on 6-11 shooting – including a perfect 5-5 clip from downtown – in the opening quarter to build a 19-13 lead.
 
Tarleton's first 12 points of the game came via the three-pointer as Tiara Tatum, Bailey Wipff, Baylee Peck, and Kylie Collins each splashed down one triple over the first 3:30 of the game to help build the TexAnn lead.
 
The TexAnns maintained a lead over the entire second quarter, despite the Thunderwolves pulling within one in the final two minutes. Shelby Mankins took care of that with a three-ball off a dish from Wipff to send Tarleton into the break with a 30-26 win.
 
Out of the break, Pueblo opened the new half on an 18-8 run to take a six-point lead at the 4:18 mark of the third quarter. The maintained that lead over the next two minutes before a pair of free throws from Travanti Downes started an 8-1 Tarleton run that was capped with a Wipff layup to put the TexAnns back up 49-48. Pueblo was fouled on a three-pointer just before the quarter break and hit all three freebies to put Pueblo back up 51-49 heading into the fourth.
 
Tarleton pulled within two twice in the fourth quarter, but couldn't overcome a 9-0 Pueblo run that put the game out of reach in the final quarter.
 
Bailey Wipff and Tiara Tatum each topped the double-digit mark in scoring with 12 points. Wipff was named to the All-Tournament team after scoring 28 points in the last two games in Colorado.
 
The TexAnns shot .440 from the field and .438 from downtown as a team. Mackenzie Hailey and Baylee Peck each poured in nine points while Ikpeaku Iwobi tallied eight points. Downes (6), Collins (3), Mankins (3), and Trejouir Wilson (2) rounded out the scoring for the TexAnns.
 
Tarleton will have a short turnaround as they head to San Antonio Tuesday night for a pre-Thanksgiving rematch against St. Mary's at Bill Greehey Arena at 6 p.m.