The Teams: Day 1: Tarleton State University Texans (1-1, 0-0 WAC) vs. Belmont University Bruins (1-2, 0—0 MVC); Day 2: Tarleton Texans vs. George Mason (2-1, 0-0 A10) or Boston College (2-1, 0-0 ACC); Day 3: Tarleton Texans vs. TBD
Where: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Arena: UVI Sports and Fitness Center
Day and Time: Friday, Nov. 18, 4:45 PM CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN3
Radio: KTRL 90.5 FM
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP:
 

• This is the first meeting between Tarleton and Belmont in the programs' histories.
• Belmont's 77 victories since the start of the 2019-20 season rank fifth nationally – behind only Gonzaga, Kansas, Houston and Baylor.
• In the Bruins' three regular season games, they've averaged 73 PPG, compared to 78.3 PPG allowed.

 
QUICK HITS:
 

• Since 2006, Belmont has appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 1-8. They also qualified for the 2020 NCAA Tournament before it was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Tarleton and Belmont are shooting nearly identical from the field so far this season at .468 and .470 percentages respectively. 
• Tarleton currently has better stats than Belmont in rebounds per game (40-to-29), steals (31-to-22) and points per game (77-to-73).
• The Texans currently rank fifth in the WAC in opposing field goal percentage, holding their opponents to an average of 36.9 PPG.
• Tarleton currently has 49 forced turnovers, at 24.5 per game. Only two other programs in the nation rank higher than Tarleton in turnovers forced per game (Bryant 56 at 28 per game, UNLV 77 at 25.67 per game).
• The Texans currently have 31 steals on the season, at 15.5 per competition. Only one other program in the nation ranks higher in steals per game (Bryant 38 at 19 per game).

 
WHO'S HOT:
 

• 44 Tydan Archibald: Tydan Archibald led the team in scoring last Thursday against Kansas Christian with 15 points in his first start of the season. He had no fear shooting from beyond the arc, with all his points of the game coming from range (5-9 3PT).
•  33 Garry Clark: Garry Clark earned his first start of the season in route to 14 points (7-9 FG) and five rebounds for the game. He also picked up two assists and steals on 15 minutes of gameplay.
• 13 Shakur Daniel: Daniel Shakur totaled 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, four assists and two rebounds and assists over 25 minutes. Daniel has now scored in double-digits figures in both games of the season and 10 times as a Texan.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW:
 

• 3: After an eight day stretch between their last game and Belmont, the Texans will FACE THREE OPPONENTS in the span of four days during the Paradise Jam tournament.
• 21: Tarleton has FORCED 21 OR MORE TURNOVERS in back-to-back games this season (Arizona State 21, Kansas Christian 28). The Texans rank third in the nation in forced turnovers per game (Bryant 56 at 28 per game, UNLV 77 at 25.67 per game).
• 44: The Texans capitalized on forced turnovers against Kansas Christian last Thursday, SCORING 44 POINTS OFF TURNOVERS. That's twice the number of points they scored from such plays against Arizona State.
• 46: Tarleton won by 46 points against Kansas Christian last Thursday, Nov. 10, their LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY since their 112-54 win against McMurry on Feb. 9, 2021. The Texans forced 20+ turnovers six different times last season, so far, they've forced 20+ turnovers in both games played this season.

 
 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans next game will either be played on Saturday, Nov. 19 (if Tarleton loses to Belmont) or Sunday, Nov. 20 (if Tarleton wins against Belmont). Depending on results, Tarleton will play either George Mason or Boston College. They will play a final game against an undetermined opponent on Monday, Nov. 21, to finish off the tournament.