STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Texans fall to UTRGV 68-65 after erasing a 12-point halftime deficit at Wisdom Gym.
 
The Texans (12-11, 5-5 WAC) were first on the scoreboard, as a corner three-pointer from Lue Williams on the first possession of the game produced a roar from the crowd. The Vaqueros (12-12, 3-8 WAC) responded with a pair of unanswered buckets to take the lead five minutes into the game.
 
A pair of baskets from Shamir Bogues put Tarleton back on top right away, but a 15-2 run from UTRGV earned them an 11-point lead with six minutes remaining in the half.
 
The Texans began chipping away at the deficit, clawing within five points off a pair of free throws from Freddy Hicks. 
 
The Vaqueros finished the half with an 8-1 run to take a 12-point lead as the teams headed to the locker room.
 
Coming out of the locker room, Tarleton opened the second half with the first four points, courtesy of KiAndre Gaddy.
 
The Texans grinded the Vaqueros lead down over the first 10 minutes of the second half before regaining the lead at 47-46.
 
Both teams kept neck-and-neck, trading the lead six time over the next five minutes until consecutive three-point shots from the Vaqueros put them down by five.
 
A three-point jumper from Jakorie Smith closed the Texan deficit to just one point with two and a half minutes remaining.
 
Tarleton had several opportunities late but ultimately fell short in the 68-65 loss to UTRGV at home.
 
Hicks earned 13 points, five rebounds and two assists for the game. 
 
The Fireside District Player of the Game, Bogues, earned team-highs in points (19) and steals (4) while also grabbing five boards. 
 
Williams picked up 14 points and Smith totaled seven points. Gaddy put together eight points and four rebounds. Shakur Daniel picked up a pair of points and assists while Javontae Hopkins scored two points and grabbed three rebounds.
 
The Texans have a quick turnaround as they travel to Arlington, Texas, to play UTA (8-15, 3-7 WAC) on Monday. The matchup was originally scheduled for the previous Wednesday, but ice storms across North Texas forced the teams to postpone. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can also listen in on KTRL 90.5 FM.