No. 3 Tarleton State upset by No. 19 Angelo State
Travis M. Smith – @travis5mith
Texan News Sports Editor
SAN ANGELO – No.3 (12-1, 0-1) Tarleton State was stunned by No. 19 (13-1, 1-0) Angelo State 78-60 in the first match-up of top-20 Lone Star Conference teams this season. The Texans struggled from the field the entire game, but were not necessarily out played by the Rams. The only statistical category that leaned heavily one way or the other was the Rams domination in the paint on the offensive end, outscoring the Texans 26-14.
The game was No. 800 in Lon Reisman’s career, and he has complied an impressive 363-62 record since joining Tarleton State in 1988. This is the first time since Jan 30, 1984 that ASU has been ranked in the top-20 in the nation.
FIRST HALF
Angelo State controlled the opening tip and most of the first half. Entering the game, the Rams had averaged 101.3 points over their last 4 games, but only had 18 through the first 10 minutes. Tarleton opened the game making 5 of 7 from beyond the arch and trailed 18-14 early.
TaShawn Mabry powered his way to the low block and his shot rattled in to the tie the game at 19 with 7:45 left in the half.
Nosa Ebomwonyi continues to prove that he is the future of Tarleton basketball, when his eighteenth triple of the season tied the game again, this time at 22. Angelo’s Raijon Kelly converted an and-1 on the ASU end. The Rams retook a three-point lead, 25-22 with just 5:35 to play in the first half.
Tevin Jones was fouled on a drive to the bucket with 6 seconds left in the half. Jones made both free throws and the No.3 Texans trailed the No.19 Rams 35-28 heading to the locker room. TSU trailed by as many as 9 points in the first half.
SECOND HALF
An early 7-2 run by the Rams was quickly erased when Mo Lee capped a 6-0 Texan run with a pair of free throws. Tarleton trailed 42-34 with 15:15 to play, however, the game would never be this close again.
Angelo State extended its lead to 18 points and held a commanding 54-36 lead. Tarleton failed to find any offensive momentum and never recovered from the 12-0 ASU run. The Texans were outscored in the paint for the first time all year, 26-14 and shot a season-low 35% from the field. No. 3 Tarleton State was upset by No. 19 Angelo State 78-60.
Michael Hardge led all Texans with 17 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 assist. Mabry chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds also.
