Women's Basketball 3/11/2026 2:33:00 PM Grant Cohen

Tarleton State Women’s Basketball begins postseason play with WAC Quarterfinals Thursday against Utah Valley

LAS VEGAS – Tarleton State Women's Basketball, the No. 5 seed, opens the WAC Tournament with a quarterfinals matchup against No. 4 seed Utah Valley at the Orleans Arena Thursday at 2 p.m. central time at Orleans Arena.

Tarleton State is 2-0 all-time in its opening games of the WAC Tournament. The Texans are seeking their second straight semifinals appearance in the conference tournament.

Fans unable to attend the game in person can watch on ESPN+ and also listen to Clayton Neville's radio call on Tarleton Sports Network.

MEANWHILE IN VEGAS

When it comes to opening the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas, the Texans start strong.
Tarleton State is 2-0 in opening games at the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas all-time.
Their first victory was on March 13, 2024, defeating Abilene Christian 54-41 in the first round. This was the Texans' first conference tournament win in the Division I era.
The Texans followed suit the next year with their first quarterfinals win in the Division I era, defeating Southern Utah 59-40 as the No. 2 seed in 2025.
The Texans advanced to their first conference tournament semifinal in the Division I era. It was their first conference tournament semifinal appearance since the 2018-19 season.
The Texans picked up its 20th win of the season, capturing its first 20-win season in the Division I Era. It was the first time the Texans have won 20 games since the 2019-20 season.
Tarleton State allowed just 40 points to Southern Utah in the quarterfinal win, the fewest allowed in a WAC Tournament game since 2008 (NM State 55, Hawai'i 40 - Quarterfinal 3).

STRENGTH IN SENIORS

Tarleton State has relied heavily on its 2025-26 senior class of Jakoriah Long, Gia Adams and Kyriana Jones on and off the court, especially when it comes to scoring points.
The seniors scored 39 of the Texans' 43 points in the second half at UTA (3/5), helping lead the Texans to a come-from-behind win on the road. The senior trio shot 59% in the second half to help the Texans to a win.
A senior has been the leading scorer for the Texans in 18 of 29 games. Long has led the team in scoring in the last five games and has been the Texans' leader in points in eight out of the last 10.
The senior trio has accounted for over 46% of the team's scoring in 2025-26.
Being a senior-led team is nothing new for Tarleton State Women's Basketball. The Texans had eight seniors in 2024-25, helping the team to 20 wins. It was the most wins in a single season in the Division I era and the senior class helped the Texans to its first-ever Division I postseason berth, getting the automatic bid to the WNIT.

LETTING LONG LOOSE

Tarleton State Women's Basketball senior guard Jakoriah Long is a scoring threat for the Texans, averaging 12 points per game. She was named to the All-WAC Second Team in 2025-26.
She saved her best for last, scoring all 19 of her points in the second half at UTA (3/5) to lead the Texans to a come-from-behind victory in the regular season finale.
Long became the 23rd player in program history to record 1,000 career points at Tarleton State, accomplishing that feat against Utah Valley (2/26).
Long knocked down her 100th 3-pointer in addition to 19 points at CBU (1/3).
Currently fifth on the all-time career 3's list, she needs 15 more to pass Kylie Collins (2016-20) for fourth.
Long has registered four 20-point games this season, having back-to-back 20-point games Feb. 18-21.
Long had her first Division I double-double earlier this year, pouring in 11 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in Tarleton State's double OT win over Houston Christian (11/9).
The senior guard set a new Division I Era single game program record with seven made 3-pointers twice last season.
Long is the first Texan in the Division I Era to post two consecutive 25-point games. She is the first Texan since the 2013-14 season to post back-to-back games with at least 25 points (Kiara Wright, Feb. 5-8, 2014).
She also became the first Texan in the Division I Era to have back-to-back games with six or more 3-pointers. She is the first Texan since the 2011-12 season to have two consecutive games with six or more 3-pointers (Peyton Adamson, Jan. 11-14, 2012).

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN

Freshman Elodie Lutbert is having one of the best seasons by a first-year college player since the Texans moved to Division I.
Lutbert was named to the All-WAC Defensive Team and the All-WAC Freshman Team. She is the first freshman since 2012-13 to be named to the All-WAC Defensive Team (Riana Byrd, San Jose State).
The 6-foot-6-inch center broke the Division I era single season program record for rebounds with her 214th board at UTA (3/5).
Lutbert recorded her eighth double-double of the season against CBU (2/28) with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She is the first freshman in the Division I era and the first since 1985-86 to have eight double-doubles in a single season (Kelly Hubbard, 13).
She scored a season-high 18 points against ACU (2/14).
Lutbert was named WAC Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 9, 2026 after nearly averaging a double-double.
Lutbert matched the D1 era program record for most rebounds in a game with 16 against UTA (1/21).
Lutbert had three straight double-doubles between Nov. 25-Dec.7. She is the first Tarleton State freshman since 1985-86 to have three straight games with a double-double (Kelly Hubbard, Nov. 12-20).
Lutbert has also blocked five shots multiple times this season. She is the first Tarleton State freshman since 2005 to have five blocks in a game (TaNesiah Leak).
She is currently second all-time on the program's single season blocks list. Lutbert needs just six more blocks to break the program record.
Lutbert signed with Tarleton State in August.