The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (2-4, 0-1 WAC) at Northwestern State Lady Demons (3-4, 0-0 SLC)
Where: Natchitoches, Louisiana
Arena: Prather Coliseum (3,400)
Day and Time: Wednesday at 5 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Clayton Neville)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the third all-time meeting, all since 2021. The Texans are 2-0 against the Lady Demons with a 51-47 road win in 2021 and a 67-46 home win last season.
• In last year's matchup, three Texans scored 10-plus points; Teresa Da Silva (17 points, four assists, five steals), Elise Turrubiates (13 points, five boards) and Tyler Jackson (11 points, three rebounds).
• The Lady Demons have won three straight since starting the year 0-4. They've allowed just 38.0 PPG during this three-game winning streak. They haven't won four or more in a row since 2015-16. 

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans just snapped a four-game skid with a 72-66 win at UTRGV. They overcame a 10-point deficit thanks to a 26-13 third quarter. They outshot the Vaqueros 25-of-56 (.446) to 21-of-67 (.313) and outrebounded them 48-32.
• With a win, Tarleton State would have back-to-back road wins for the first time since 2021-22 in their last visit to Natchitoches, a Dec. 18 win at Northwestern State then a Dec. 22 win at UIW.
• This is a rescheduled game from Nov. 16, a game postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
• In this seven-game stretch, Tarleton is on the road six times; this is the second road game of the span which lasts through Jan. 4. The Texans only have one home game in December (Dec. 10). 
• Freshman Faith Acker made a strong case for WAC Newcomer of the Week honors last week. In her first two collegiate games, she averaged 18.0 PPG on 15-of-25 (.600) shooting, 7.5 RPG and 1.5 BPG. On Saturday, she posted 20 points (8-14 FG) and eight rebounds, becoming the first Texan freshman to score 20 points in a game since Iyana Dorsey in 2020-21.
• The Texans have outshot their last three opponents, combining to shoot 75-of-164 (.457) to a combined 69-of-192 (.359) clip. Tarleton is first in the WAC in field goal percentage (.460), tied-48th nationwide.
• The Texans have featured a unique starting lineup four times in six games, the same one over the first three and new ones over the past three. Only Tyler Jackson has started all six games.

 
WHO'S HOT

• Faith Acker: Acker is now the Texans' leading scorer (18.0 PPG) and leading rebounder (7.5). She's second in field goal percentage (.600). She's led the Texans in scoring in each of the last two games, the first collegiate games of her career after missing the first four due to injury.
• Elise Turrubiates: Turrubiates just had her best game since the season opener, finishing with 14 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3PT) and eight rebounds. She scored 12 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter. After going 0-of-2 from distance last year, she's made 4-of-5 (.800) from deep this season.
• Teresa Da Silva: Da Silva responded from a tough game Wednesday with 14 points, a season-high seven rebounds and three assists on Saturday. She's scored 10-plus points in four of her five games played this season, averaging 11.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.0 SPG in 21.6 MPG.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW

• 17: The Texans just made a SEASON-HIGH 17 FREE THROWS, shooting 85.0 percent from the stripe to hold off UTRGV by six. Tarleton entered that game at a conference-low .605 free throw percentage, including a 5-of-12 (.417) mark the game prior.
• 6: The WAC unveiled its first tabulation of the women's basketball WAC RESUME SEEDING SYSTEM RANKINGS on Monday. Tarleton is slated No. 6 in the initial rankings. The system employs an algorithm based on performance and rewards WAC members who face stronger schedules.
• 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.
• 6: Of Tarleton's 15-woman roster, six ARE INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS, the tied-eighth most on a D1 roster this season. The Texans are represented by the United States (nine), the U.K. (two), Brazil, Montenegro, Norway and Poland.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans will play their lone game at Wisdom Gym in December on Sunday against Incarnate Word at 2 p.m. Tarleton State will have Santa and Mrs. Claus at the game to add to the Christmas spirit, plus fans are encouraged to bring Teddy Bears to the game, as the team will have a Teddy Bear Toss at halftime for a chance to win prizes, with the toys donated to the Stephenville Optimist Club.