The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (0-0, 0-0 WAC) vs. Howard Payne Yellow Jackets (0-0, 0-0 ASC)
Where: Stephenville, Texas
Arena: Wisdom Gym
Day and Time: Monday at 7 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (Byron Anderson, Laura Sadler)
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Clayton Neville)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• Howard Payne is a member of the NCAA Division III's American Southwest Conference.
• After starting last season 2-4, the Yellow Jackets lost 21 straight games to end 2022-23.
• The Texans opened at home against Howard Payne once before, winning 76-50 in 2020.
• Tarleton has won five straight games against the Yellow Jackets, last falling in 1990. The Texans have an average margin of victory of 29.8 points during that stretch, winning 87-44 in the last contest in 2021. Tarleton is 18-6 all-time against Howard Payne, dating back to 1979.

 
QUICK HITS

• Tarleton has won its last six home openers, last losing its first game held in Stephenville in 2016.
• In the two exhibition games this season, Tarleton won by 38 and 41 points, respectively.
• This will be new head coach Bill Brock's first NCAA game at the helm.
• Of Tarleton's 15-woman roster, the Texans have three returners and 12 newcomers. Their 12 newcomers are tied for the most among all NCAA D1 programs, along with Utah State and fellow WAC program UT Arlington. Three of Tarleton's newcomers are freshmen/redshirt freshmen.
• Tarleton's three returners are Teresa Da Silva, Tyler Jackson and Elise Turrubiates. Da Silva was No. 1 on the team in scoring (14.5 PPG), plus second in rebounding (3.9 RPG), assists (2.4 APG), steals (1.4 SPG) and blocks (0.4 BPG). Turrubiates led Tarleton in rebounding last year at 4.7 RPG, and Jackson was the team's third leading scorer (8.0 PPG).
• In last year's season opener, a 90-40 Texan win at home against Arlington Baptist, Da Silva scored 20 points (7-10 FG, 4-7 3PT, 2-2 FT) in 22 minutes, adding seven rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks. Jackson had 10 points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3PT), four rebounds, three assists and four steals in 19 minutes. Turrubiates had nine points (3-4 FG, 3-3 FT) four rebounds and three steals in 14 minutes.
• True freshman Faith Acker had Tarleton's lone double-double in exhibition play, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds in the Texans' last outing against UNT Dallas.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans make their first ever trip to Lubbock to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Friday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now and ESPN+. Tarleton Sports Network's Clayton Neville will be on the airwaves as well.