AT A GLANCE
After two warm-up exhibitions last week, the Tarleton Women's Basketball team will officially begin their 2019-2020 campaign at home for the Texan Tip-Off Classic in Wisdom Gym. The Texans, who enter the sixth season under the leadership of Tarleton Hall of Famer
Misty Wilson, will begin the season Friday against Adams State before welcoming Colorado Mesa to town Saturday night.
THE GAMES
Friday, November 8th
5:00 p.m. – vs. Adams State, Wisdom Gym, Stephenville, TX
Saturday, November 9th
5:00 p.m. – vs. Colorado Mesa, Wisdom Gym, Stephenville, TX
*Max Point Game in Tarleton Sports App (500 points)
GAME COVERAGE
Links for live stats and video can be found on the women's basketball schedule at TarletonSports.com. A complete radio and video broadcast of the game can be heard and seen on the Tarleton Sports Network presented by the North Texas Ford Dealers. The Voice of the Texans,
Kyle Crews, will have the call on the flagship station of Tarleton Athletics – KTRL 90.5 FM in Stephenville – and worldwide at TarletonSports.com/ListenLive.
TICKET INFORMATION
The Tarleton State Ticket Office is open from 1:30-4 p.m. in the main lobby of Wisdom Gym and can be reached by telephone at 254-968-1832. Cash, check, and cards are all accepted. Tarleton's Stephenville Campus Students receive free admission to all home games with valid Stephenville Campus Student ID.
INSIDE THE SERIES: ADAMS STATE
Saturday will mark the second all-time meeting between the Texans and Grizzlies since 1993. Tarleton defeated Adams State in Alamosa in the first match-up, 64-62. The Grizzlies finished the 2018-19 season with 2-24 overall record and a 2-20 mark in RMAC play.
INSIDE THE SERIES: COLORADO MESA
The Texans and Mavericks last met in 2014, where Tarleton fell to Colorado Mesa in the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament, 44-66. The Mavericks lead the all-times series 3-1. The teams have not met in Stephenville. Colorado Mesa finished the 2018-19 season with 27-4 overall record and a 20-2 mark in RMAC play. The team advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament and is currently receiving votes in the WBCA Coaches Poll.
2018 SEASON RECAP
Tarleton's season came to an end with an 84-53 loss to No. 24 Lubbock Christian in the opening round of the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. The Texans finished the season 22-9 (14-6 LSC) after making their third straight regional tournament. It's the most wins in a season for the Texans since 2014 and the most under Coach Wilson.
2019 SEASON OUTLOOK
Heading into the 2019-20 slate, Coach Wilson will look to guide the Texans to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2014. Tarleton returns five players from a season ago, while adding nine newcomers – five freshmen and three transfers – to round out the 2019-20 squad. Tarleton Volleyball player
Amber Strange will also be joining the team this season.
MACK-ATTACK
Senior
Mackenzie Hailey has been one of the most consistent shooters in program history. Last season, Hailey started in 30 match-ups for the Texans and averaged 15.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She recorded three double-doubles and seven 20-point games throughout the season. Hailey also finished the season leading the team in five categories, including scoring.
2019-20 RETURNERS
In addition to Hailey,
Kylie Collins will also be back for the Texans for her final season. Collins started in all 31 games last year and averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 assists per game. She led the team in three-point field percentage (36.5%) last season. Rounding out the returners are
Lucy Benson (2.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg),
Kandyn Faurie (2.1 ppg, 1.2 rpg), and
Marissa Escamilla (1.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg).
2019-20 NEWCOMERS
Three guard transfers highlight this year's recruiting class.
Erin Brumley (Temple College),
Kaitlyn Guillory (Colby CC), and
Alexa Hoy (UTEP) bring leadership experience to this year's squad. The freshman class includes
Jasmine Bailey (Midlothian Heritage HS),
Callie Boyles (Denton Guyer HS),
Madison Cawley (Lake Country Christian HS), Maddie Mitschke (Paradise HS), and
Jayci Morton (Stephenville HS).
STRANGE PULLING DOUBLE-DUTY
After being away from the court for three years,
Amber Strange was ready to make her return. Strange, a junior, has played for the Tarleton Volleyball team for three seasons. Strange last played basketball at Granbury High School, where she lettered four years and was a team captain for head coach Steve Schmidt. She was named All-State Honorable Mention during her senior year.
TEXANS TABBED FIFTH IN LSC PRESEASON POLL
Tarleton Women's Basketball is picked to finish fifth in the annual Lone Star Conference preseason poll that was released by the league as part of Online Media Day. The Texans received 659 votes in the poll.
TARLETON ATHLETICS UNITE AS TEXANS
Following a unanimous decision by the Student Government Association and the President's Cabinet, all of Tarleton's 14 intercollegiate athletic teams will unite under the Texans name beginning in August 2019.
SAME CONFERENCE, NEW OPPONENTS
The Lone Star Conference expanded to 19 member institutions earlier this summer with the addition of eight new teams. The LSC is officially the largest conference in NCAA Division II.
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
Tarleton will host East Central on Thursday, November 14th at 5:30 p.m. in the Wisdom Gym.
