ARLINGTON, Texas – Tarleton State Women's Basketball got back in the win column before postseason play, picking up its first-ever victory at UT Arlington 65-54 on Thursday night at the College Park Center in the Texans' regular season finale. 

Trailing in the first half, Tarleton State's senior class carried the Texans into victory lane. Seniors Jakoriah Long, Gia Adams and Kyriana Jones combined for 39 of Tarleton State's 43 points in the second half, shooting 59% in the final 20 minutes as a trio. 

Long scored all 19 of her points in the second half, making eight of her final nine shots. Adams, a former guard at UTA, finished with 16 points while Jones added 10 points. Freshman center Elodie Lutbert broke the program's Division I single season rebounds record on Thursday, also moving to second on the program's all-time single season blocks list. 

"Tonight was fun and I'm proud of our kids' efforts," head coach Bill Brock said. "I wanted us to play free, loose and engaged and I felt like we did all three of those things tonight. We made some clutch stops down the stretch. Jakoriah made eight of nine shots in the second half after not making a shot in the first and that's pretty special. Our three seniors, Jay, Gia and Ky, carried us. Our kids got really excited for each other and had fun tonight." 

Despite transportation issues that slowed the Texans' arrival to the College Park Center, Tarleton State got off to a fast start. The Texans went on an early 6-0 run to take control, with Adams scoring two straight buckets for the Purple and White. UTA answered with back-to-back baskets while forcing Tarleton State into a three-minute scoring drought going into the first media timeout. 

A 12-0 scoring run over five and a half minutes in the opening period pushed UTA out in front. The Texans, however, responded with a scoring run of their own. After back-to-back 3-pointers, junior forward Shadasia Brackens knocked in a basket while drawing the foul and made the free throw to put the Texans in front 15-12. 

Freshman guard Alexis Rynders helped the Texans pick up right where they left off, hitting her second 3-pointer to extend the lead in the second quarter. The theme of scoring runs was once again in effect, with UTA using a 6-0 run over four minutes to swing the advantage. A steal and a layup from junior forward Allie Myers to go with a bucket from Jones gave the Texans a two-point lead. 

UTA forced the Texans to end the last 2:14 of the first half without a point, taking advantage by getting the final five points of the first half. The Lady Mavs ended the first half by scoring off a Tarleton State turnover to go up 25-22 at the half. 

Tarleton State opened the third quarter with a pair of jumpers to tie the game, but UTA responded with a free throw and back-to-back buckets to retake control. Seniors stepped up in the Texans' time of need, with Long igniting the Texans with seven straight points. After getting a basket and a 3-pointer to put Tarleton State out front, Long turned a steal into a basket to make it a 35-32 Tarleton State lead. 

After Long scored, it was Adams' turn to contribute to the scoring run. The senior knocked down a 3-pointer to double the Texans' advantage with just under five minutes to play in the period. Long once again got going, capping off a 14-2 Tarleton State scoring run with two straight jumpers. The Waco, Texas, native scored 13 points in the third quarter to put the Texans ahead by eight heading into the final 10 minutes. 

A second-chance layup by junior forward Tessa Engelman was followed by a basket from Jones as she was fouled. The Texans extended its double-digit advantage thanks to a 3-pointer from Adams, putting Tarleton State in front 51-38 with just over five minutes to play. 

Just as she had in the third quarter, Long once again lifted the Texans in the final period. Long knocked down a jumper from downtown while being fouled, converting the four-point play to put the game out of reach. The Texans made five of their last six shots to end the regular season with a double-digit win on the road. 

Tarleton State begins postseason play at the WAC Tournament at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas next week. The Texans' seeding, matchup and tipoff date and time for the first game will be revealed following the conclusion of Saturday's games. 

Postgame Notes

• Tarleton State swept the season series from UTA, defeating the Lady Mavs 65-54 on Thursday night at the College Park Center. This was Tarleton State's first win in Arlington since the beginning of the series in 1977. 
• The Texans picked up their third win of the season when trailing at the half. It is also their third win of the season in WAC play when they were down in the locker room. 
• Tarleton State's senior class of Jakoriah Long, Gia Adams, and Kyriana Jones scored 39 of the Texans' 43 points in the second half. The senior trio shot 59% in the second half to help the Texans to a win. 
• Senior guard Jakoriah Long scored all 19 of her points in the second half, making eight of her final nine shots. Long had 13 points in the third quarter alone. 
• Senior guard Gia Adams scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half against her former school, UTA. She averaged 10.3 points per game against UTA this season. 
• With her three rebounds, freshman center Elodie Lutbert broke the single season Division I era record. Lutbert has 214 rebounds in the 2025-26 season. 
• Lutbert also blocked two shots, moving to second on the program's all-time single season blocks list. She needs six more blocks to break the single season program record.