The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (5-12, 2-6 WAC) at Utah Tech Trailblazers (10-9, 4-4 WAC)
Where: St. George, Utah
Arena: Burns Arena (4,779)
Day and Time: Saturday at 3 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. Utah Tech won the first two, one at each place. UT has won two of its last three, wins against Southern Utah and ACU. Maggie McCord had 21 points (8-12 FG, 5-8 3PT) and nine boards vs. ACU. UT shot 51.0 percent, 14-of-30 (.467) from three in that game.
• Breaunna Gillen, UT's leader in points (15.8 PPG), rebounds (6.8 RPG) and assists (4.8 APG) has missed the last two games. UT has two others averaging 14.9-plus PPG, twins Maddie and Macie Warren.
• UT has a top-three WAC offense. They're third in scoring offense (74.0 PPG), second in field goal percentage (.444) and first in three-point makes (10.4 per).

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans snapped a season-long five-game slide with a win on Thursday at Southern Utah 71-60. It marked Tarleton's best offensive performance since Dec. 16 at McNeese, as they shot 27-of-57 (.474). Tarleton's bench outscored Southern Utah's 31-4.
• With a win Saturday, Tarleton would post their first stretch of back-to-back wins this season.
• Andjela Bigovic just scored a career-high 22 points (9-10 FG, 4-4 3PT), adding six rebounds and three blocks in 23 minutes. It marked her first double-digit scoring game since Nov. 12 at New Mexico. In the first half Thursday, she had 18 points (7-7 FG, 4-4 3PT), four rebounds and three blocks.
• The Texans just had 12 steals, their most since a season-opening 13 against Howard Payne. They won the turnover battle 10 to 15, improving to 4-6 when having that advantage (1-6 when not).
• With a win Saturday, Tarleton would move into a tie for seventh in the WAC standings with UTRGV, and possibly Utah Valley and Southern Utah. Eight is the cutoff for the WAC Tournament.
• When Tarleton's offense is clicking, it's resulted in wins. Across Tarleton's wins, they've averaged 77.8 PPG (46.9 field goal percent, 35.1 three-point percent). In losses, they've averaged 55.2 PPG (35.7 field goal percent, 30.9 three-point percent).
• The Texans own one of the top defenses in the WAC. They're third in scoring defense (64.9 PPG), fourth in opposing field goal percentage (.380) and second in opposing three-point percentage (.289). They also average the most blocks (4.4) in the WAC, tied-45th most in the nation.

 
WHO'S HOT

• Andjela Bigovic: Bigovic just had a career day. In her last three halves played, she's totaled 30 points (12-15 FG, 6-8 3PT), 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. She's made more three-pointers (six) over the past two games than she did her first 10 games (five).
• Jakoriah Long: Long had a special game on Thursday, recording 17 points (7-10 FG), four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Over her past two games, she's averaged 17.0 PPG on 13-of-19 (.684) shooting, 4.5 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.5 SPG. She's played all but six minutes the past two games.
• Faith Acker: Acker returned to the starting lineup and had her first 10-plus point game since Dec. 30, posting 14 points in 19 minutes. It's the true freshman's fifth double-digit scoring game. She leads the team in rebounding (4.9 RPG) and is second in both scoring (9.6 PPG) and blocks (1.0 BPG).

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW

• 10: Through Tarleton's 17 games played this season, they've OUTSHOT THEIR OPPONENT 10 times. The Texans are 5-5 this season when outshooting their opponent, and 0-7 when getting outshot. Tarleton is also 4-4 when shooting 40-plus percent, and 1-8 when shooting under 40 percent.
• 4: In Tarleton's games this season, the leader at halftime has typically won the game. The Texans are 4-1 WHEN LEADING AT HALFTIME this season, and 1-11 when trailing.
• 4: Four of Tarleton's five wins have come ON THE ROAD this season. Their four-win total is already tied for their second most in their Division I era, coming off of a year where the Texans went 1-12 away from home last season.
• 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.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans will return home for a special Thursday game at Wisdom Gym. It will be Rodeo Night, as Tarleton Athletics will distribute free purple Tarleton bandanas to early arrivers. The Texans will host rival Abilene Christian at 7 p.m.