ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — Abilene Christian edged Tarleton State 64-59 in a Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats built a 19-8 lead after the first quarter and maintained a narrow advantage throughout. The Texans cut the deficit to two points in the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback. Meredith Mayes led Abilene Christian with 18 points and three blocks. Shadasia Brackens scored a game-high 21 points for Tarleton State. Abilene Christian improved to 11-5 overall. Tarleton State fell to 7-8.

ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and missed opportunities, the Abilene Christian Wildcats used a dominant first quarter and clutch late free throws to hold off a persistent Tarleton State Texans squad 64-59 in a Western Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats, improving to 11-5 overall, built a commanding 19-8 lead after the opening period and managed to fend off multiple second-half charges from the Texans, who fell to 7-8. Despite committing 19 turnovers and shooting just 25% from three-point range, Abilene Christian’s efficiency at the free-throw line and interior presence proved decisive. Tarleton State’s offense sputtered badly out of the gate, managing only eight points in the first quarter on 3-of-13 shooting while turning the ball over seven times. Abilene Christian’s Meredith Mayes set the tone early, scoring six of her team-high 18 points in the opening frame and adding three blocks and three steals for the game. Her defensive impact was immediate, altering shots and helping force the Texans into a deep hole. The Texans, however, refused to capitulate. They chipped away at the deficit throughout the middle quarters, using a 12-2 run bridging the second and third periods to close within four points. The surge was fueled by Shadasia Brackens, who led all scorers with 21 points, and backcourt mates Jakoriah Long and Kyriana Jones, who added 12 points each. Tarleton State’s defense also intensified, generating 11 steals and converting 22 points off Wildcat turnovers. Each time the Texans drew close, the Wildcats found a response. When Brackens hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 52-50 with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Abilene Christian answered with a Riley Grohman layup. After a Luka Malinka triple brought Tarleton within 54-53, the Wildcats got a key jump shot from Natalia Chavez and an Emma Troxell layup to push the margin back to five. The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute. With Abilene Christian leading 60-59, Tarleton State had a chance to take the lead or tie, but Kyriana Jones had a layup attempt blocked by Jordyn Coleman with 1:10 remaining. The Wildcats secured the defensive rebound, and on the ensuing possession, Payton Hull was fouled. The junior guard, who finished with 13 points and four assists, calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to 62-59 with 47 seconds left. Tarleton State’s ensuing trip ended in a missed three-pointer by Jones, and Hull was fouled again after securing the defensive board. She again made both attempts from the line with 4.4 seconds left, sealing the five-point victory. Abilene Christian finished 10 of 12 from the charity stripe, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the final minute, while the Texans struggled at 9 of 17. Beyond the scoring, the game was a statistical oddity, with both teams finishing with identical totals in assists (11) and steals (11). Abilene Christian held a slim edge in rebounding (38-35) and points in the paint (34-26), while both teams struggled from the perimeter, combining to shoot 12 of 41 from beyond the arc. For Abilene Christian, Erin Woodson provided crucial support with 10 points and five assists, while Troxell added nine points. The Wildcats’ defensive effort, particularly early, was paramount, holding Tarleton State to an offensive rating of 86.7 points per 100 possessions. Elodie Lutbert contributed 10 points and two blocks for the Texans, who saw their two-game conference winning streak snapped. Despite the loss, their second-half rally showcased the resilience that has characterized their season, though their slow starts continue to be a liability. The game was the first of three scheduled meetings between the in-state WAC rivals this season. They will meet again in Abilene on Jan. 24 and in Stephenville on Feb. 14. Abilene Christian will look to build on the win when it hosts Texas-Arlington on Saturday. Tarleton State continues its road swing, next facing Southern Utah on Jan. 15.

Preview: Tarleton State at Abilene Christian (Women’s Basketball) ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — A pair of Western Athletic Conference rivals trending in opposite directions will meet Thursday when the Abilene Christian Wildcats host the Tarleton State Texans in a women’s Division I basketball game at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats (10-5) enter with a winning record and look to rebound from a narrow 69-67 road loss to Utah Valley last Saturday. They had won four straight prior to that defeat. The Texans (7-7) have dropped two consecutive games, including an 80-68 loss at California Baptist on Saturday. Abilene Christian has been led by guard Payton Hull, who is coming off a 21-point, 5-assist performance against Utah Valley. Over her last five games, Hull is averaging 19.6 points and 4.8 assists, showcasing her dual-threat capability. She scored 23 points in a win over Nelson and 23 more in a close loss to Texas Tech. Tarleton State will counter with guard Jakoriah Long, who scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds in the loss to California Baptist. Long has been a consistent scorer, averaging 12.4 points over her last five contests, including an 18-point effort in an overtime loss to Montana. The Wildcats have shown offensive firepower, scoring 112 points in each of their last two home games against non-Division I opponent Nelson and McMurry. Their defense has also been stout, holding three of their last five Division I opponents under 60 points. The Texans have struggled offensively in conference play, scoring just 49 points in a loss at Utah Valley on Jan. 1. They will need more production beyond Long and Gia Adams, who scored 21 against Cal Baptist, to challenge the Wildcats on the road. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs this season. They will meet again in Stephenville on Feb. 14. Thursday’s game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CST tip-off. Abilene Christian will host Texas-Arlington on Saturday, while Tarleton State’s next game is at home against Southern Utah on Jan. 15.