The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (3-7, 1-1 WAC) at Texas Southern Tigers (1-9, 0-0 SWAC)
Where: Houston, Texas
Arena: H&PE Arena (8,100)
Day and Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: YouTube
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Clayton Neville)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the first matchup between Tarleton State and Texas Southern. This will be the Tigers' second straight game against a WAC team, and third of the season. They just lost at home to California Baptist on Dec. 20 83-62, and fell at home to Stephen F. Austin 73-58 on Nov. 22.
• The Tigers have lost eight straight games. They have three wins over the past two seasons; Nov. 14 vs. North American, and twice beating Mississippi Valley State last year.
• Of the 360 D1 programs, Texas Southern is No. 313 in scoring offense (56.7) and No. 343 in scoring defense (77.5).

 
QUICK HITS

• This is Tarleton's final regular season non-conference game of 2023-24. With a win, they'd finish their non-conference slate 3-6 and improve to 4-7 overall on the season.
• The Texans have 12 days in-between games played, last taking the court Dec. 18 at New Orleans.
• Tarleton has outshot their opponent seven times in 10 games. They're shooting 43.4 percent from the field on the season (third in the WAC), and allowing a .359 field goal percentage (first in the WAC, tied-47th in D1).
• Out of 10 games, only three times have Tarleton's opponents shot 40 percent or better.
• Despite being 3-7, the Texans still have an average scoring margin of plus-3.6, averaging 66.5 PPG to their opponents' 62.9 PPG. Their highest PPG average in a finished D1 season is 62.9 PPG.
• The Texans have 50 blocks on the year, averaging 5.0 per game. That's the best average in the WAC (next closest is 4.0 BPG), tied-26th best in the country. Their most in a finished D1 season is 4.3 (2021-22), and they're averaging more than double their mark from last year (2.4 BPG).
• Tyler Jackson just pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, besting her previous high of six, done four times prior. She's the only Texan who has started each of their 10 games this year, and leads the team in playing time by a lot, averaging 30.3 minutes per game (next closest is at 23.6 MPG).

 
WHO'S HOT

• Tyler Jackson: Over the past two games, her 89th and 90th career collegiate games, Jackson first set a new career-high in assists (five), then set a new career-high in rebounds (10). The latter marked her first time ever leading the Texans in rebounding in a game, her third year at Tarleton State.
• Faith Acker: In six games thus far in her true freshman season, Acker has three double-digit scoring games. She is averaging 10.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 1.5 BPG. She's pulled down five-plus rebounds in each of her six games played, and has started the last five games for the Texans.
• Teresa Maggio: Maggio just led the bench with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting in 14 minutes at New Orleans. Her nine points marked a new career-high, besting her seven-point game against Eastern Washington. This season, she's scored 38 points in 111 minutes, averaging 13.7 points per 40 minutes.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW

• 3: This is the THIRD GAME OF A FOUR-GAME ROAD TRIP for the Texans. They're 1-1 through the first two. Tarleton hasn't played four straight road games since 2020-21.
• 52: The Texans have attempted 52 FEWER THREE-POINT SHOTS than their opponents this season, but have made just four fewer. They're shooting 32.9 percent from distance compared to 26.9 percent by their opponents.
• 12: 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.
• 9: The WAC unveiled its third tabulation of the WBB WAC RESUME SEEDING SYSTEM RANKINGS on Tuesday. Tarleton is slated No. 9 for the second straight week. The system employs an algorithm based on performance and rewards WAC members who face stronger schedules.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans will finish their four-game trip with the resumption of Western Athletic Conference play on Jan. 4 at UT Arlington at 6 p.m.