ORLANDO, Florida – The Texans started off Sunday's game in Orlando, Florida, outshooting UCF in the first half, but a dry spell in the second resulted in a 75-49 loss to the Knights.
 
Tarleton (5-5, 0-0 WAC) started the game making their first three field goals, trading the lead with UCF (7-2, 0-0 AAC) three times over the first four minutes of the game. The Knights then went on a quick 9-0 run before the Texans flipped the script. Tarleton shocked the crowd at Addition Financial Arena when they put together a 15-3 run to gain a five point lead with just under six minutes to go in the half. The Texans and Knights, tied at 23 with four minutes left in half, battled back and forth. UCF ultimately regained their lead by three points going into the locker room.
 
Over the first half, the Texans shot 52.2 percent from the field (12-of-23) while the Knights managed 43.5 percent on 10-of-23 from the field. Tarleton outperformed UCF in points in the paint, points off turnovers and second chance points. The Knights shot 6-of-12 (.500) from beyond the arc in the first half compared to the Texans 1-of-4 (.250).
 
The second half proved to be a different story, however. Over the first four minutes of the second half, the Knights went on a 9-0 run, jumping their lead out to 12 points. The Texans fought back, dropping the UCF lead to as little as seven points, and into single-digits twice, before the Knights took over the game. Over the next 11 minutes, UCF went on a 26-8 run leaving Tarleton with too great of a gap to close. 
 
"Tough day for us for the second game in a row," said Tarleton head coach Billy Gillispie. "Everyone wants to give us an excuse because Freddy Hicks and Jakorie Smith have been out but that's not the way I'm wired. We have to play better no matter who is available. We have had challenges before and always play like champions, like the way we have started this year."
 
Tarleton's Shakur Daniel scored a season-high 15 points, which also led the Texans for the game. Shamir Bogues and Lue Williams each scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds. Williams was perfect from the charity stripe, shooting 6-for-6 on the game. Rod Brown recorded six points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals while playing in all 40 minutes of the game. Three separate Texans picked up two points on the night including Lajae Jones, Coreyoun Rushin and KiAndre Gaddy. Rushin and Gaddy also grabbed two boards. 
 
"Tough two games but we will figure it out and start excelling again," added Gillispie.
 
Up next for Tarleton is their last of three-straight road games, this one against Air Force on Dec. 18, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at Clune Arena. The two teams met up almost a year to the date, with Tarleton besting the Falcon 67-45. Tip-off for the game will be at 2:30 p.m. CT.