STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Women's Basketball gave the Sun Belt Conference champions all they could handle, but Arkansas State pulled away late in overtime to defeat the Texans 87-77 on Friday afternoon at the EECU Center. 

Arkansas State, who is ranked No. 19 in the Mid-Major CollegeInsider.com poll, hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation and forced the Texans to miss their final shot on the last offensive possession. The Red Wolves outscored the Texans 17-7 in overtime to take the win. 

Junior forward Shadasia Brackens (20 points) and senior guard/forward Kyriana Jones (17 points) both posted career-highs in scoring, with Brackens adding nine rebounds to lead the Texans on the glass. Senior guard Gia Adams added a season-high 14 points and six assists while junior forward Tessa Engelman added 11 points and eight rebounds in her first start in the Purple and White. 

The Texans grabbed the early lead, but the Red Wolves used an 8-0 scoring run in the first quarter to take the advantage. A layup and 3-pointer by Engelman allowed the Texans to take a one-point lead before Arkansas State answered back with a 3-pointer. A layup from Adams with 37 seconds left in the first quarter knotted the game at 21 to end the period. 

It was a back and forth battle in the second quarter before a layup from Adams and a 3-pointer from Jones allowed the Texans to take a four-point lead. Another basket from Adams allowed the Texans to extend their lead to two possessions, but the Red Wolves answered with a layup to make it a 40-37 contest going into the locker room. 

Adams picked up right where she left off, converting the opening second half bucket to keep the Texans on top. The Texans stayed in front off back-to-back jumpers before being forced into seven minutes without a field goal. Sophomore Mar'Cyah Willis ended the Texans' drought with a 3-pointer, extending the lead 61-55 with just under seven minutes to play. 

Arkansas State tied it up with six consecutive free throws, but a bucket by Brackens helped the Texans regain the lead with 2:41 left to play. The Texans had a five point lead with 30 seconds left, but Arkansas State hit a layup to make it a three-point game with 25 seconds left. 

Tarleton State missed its next two free throws and Arkansas State took advantage. The Red Wolves knocked down the game-tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left and forced the Texans to miss their game-winning attempt that resulted in overtime. Arkansas State outscored the Texans 17-7 in overtime to take the road win. 

Tarleton State caps off a three-game homestand at the EECU Center on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Houston Christian. Sunday will be the first of the Texans' "Sunday Study Break" promotion, where students will receive free food at the game. 

Home games in the debut basketball season at the EECU Center start at just $7 for kids and $10 for adults. Fans can purchase single game tickets by going to TarletonSports.com/Tickets or by calling the Tarleton State Ticket Office at 254-968-1832. Fans may also purchase in-person at the Tarleton State Ticket Office located on the west side entrance of Memorial Stadium Monday through Friday. 

Season tickets are on sale now and start at just $50. Combination season ticket packages for both Men's and Women's Basketball begin at $125 and are available for purchase by calling the Tarleton State Ticket Office at 254-968-1832. 

Postgame Notes 

• Arkansas State defeated Tarleton State 87-77 in overtime on Friday afternoon at the EECU Center. The Red Wolves hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation and outscored the Texans 17-7 in overtime. 
• Junior forward Shadasia Brackens (20 points) and senior guard/forward Kyriana Jones (17 points) both posted career-highs in scoring. Brackens was one rebound shy of her second straight double-double. 
• Senior guard Gia Adams added a season-high 14 points and six assists. She played 39 of the 45 minutes in the game. 
• Junior forward Tessa Engelman was penciled in the starting lineup for the first time in the Purple and White. She scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. 
• Both teams combined for 51 fouls and 65 free throws. The Texans made 28-of-39 free throws while the Red Wolves 17-of-26 from the charity strike.