COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The Texans shot over 60% from the field to start Sunday's matchup against the Air Force Falcons but lost their touch in an 81-67 loss on the road in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
Tarleton (5-6, 0-0 WAC) came out hot in the first half, making their first three field goals and trading the lead with Air Force (8-4, 0-0 MWC) over the first five minutes of play. Down by three, the Texans went on a 12-2 run, led by Javontae Hopkins and Tiger Booker, that silenced the home crowd at Clune Arena. Tarleton's nine-point lead was their largest of the game. The Texans maintained their lead over the Falcons until 27 seconds were left in the first half. A buzzer-beater step-back jump shot from just outside the paint by Booker gave Tarleton a one-point advantage going into the locker room at half.
 
The Texans were dominant in the first half, making 17-of-28 (.607) shots from the field compared to the Falcons' 13-of-23 (.565). Tarleton led in almost every category in scoring including points from turnovers, in the paint, off second chances and from turnovers. The Texans managed to force 10 turnovers in the first half alone while recording seven steals.
 
The second half belonged to Air Force, however. The Falcons quickly regained the lead, and an early three-pointer pushed them ahead of Tarleton by four. The Texans kept the Falcons close but were never able to string enough possessions together to regain the lead. Tarleton and Air Force battled back-and-forth throughout the second half. The Texans kept within five points up until 7:42 was left in the game. From this point the Falcons slowly built their lead to double digits. The Texans couldn't get shots to fall and six Air Force three-pointers in the second half sealed the fate of the game.
 
"Third tough outcome in a row for us," said head coach Billy Gillispie. "We obviously have some things to figure out. No better place to start than Wisdom Gymnasium on Wednesday."
 
Tarleton's Booker scored a season-high 18 points, which led the Texans. He also grabbed two steals. Jakorie Smith picked up 15 points (5-6 FG), his fifth double-digit game of the season, and five rebounds on his first game back from an injury. Shakur Daniel played his third consecutive 40-minute competition, scoring 12 points and securing four rebounds. In his first start of the season, Hopkins picked up 10 points, his second double-digit scoring performance of the season, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shamir Bogues, scored eight points, secured four rebounds and grabbed a team-high three steals. Lue Williams and Tydan Archibald each picked up two points on the game.
 
Tarleton will enjoy a break from the road as they prepare to take on Huston-Tillotson at home on Wednesday, December 21, in Wisdom Gym. This will be the first meeting between the Texans and Rams. Tip-off is set to go up at 7 p.m. CT.