STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — Tarleton State dominated Southern Utah 81-55 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at Wisdom Gym. The Texans established control early, leading 23-14 after the first quarter and 40-27 at halftime. They maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half before a crowd of 878. The win evens Tarleton State’s record at 8-8. Southern Utah, which never led, fell to 11-6. Gia Adams led Tarleton State. Sierra Chambers was the top performer for the Thunderbirds. Southern Utah shot poorly from the floor, three-point range and the free throw line. Tarleton State was efficient from all three areas. The outcome aligned with a national statistical projection that favored the Texans.

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — The Tarleton State Texans used a dominant first quarter to set the tone and never looked back, cruising to an 81-55 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at Wisdom Gym. A crowd of 878 watched the Texans improve to 8-8 overall, while the Thunderbirds fell to 11-6. The most important part of the game was the opening period, where Tarleton State established a commanding lead that Southern Utah could never seriously challenge. The Texans raced out to a 23-14 advantage after the first quarter, fueled by an efficient offensive start and disruptive defense. That nine-point cushion ballooned to 40-27 by halftime, effectively putting the game out of reach for a Southern Utah team that struggled to find consistent scoring. Gia Adams, a 5-foot-6 guard from Houston, led all scorers with 20 points for Tarleton State. She added five assists and a block in 38 minutes of action, orchestrating the Texans’ offense. Her backcourt mate, Kyriana Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas, contributed 10 points and three assists. The Texans’ interior presence was overwhelming, anchored by 6-foot-6 center Elodie Lutbert from Sainte-Luce, Martinique. Lutbert scored 16 points, grabbed numerous offensive rebounds, and recorded four blocks, altering countless other shots. Her defensive impact was a key factor in Southern Utah’s shooting struggles. Forward Shadasia Brackens of Fairfield, Texas, provided a significant spark off the bench with 11 points and a block in just 14 minutes. Jakoriah Long of Waco also reached double figures with 10 points. For Southern Utah, Sierra Chambers of Danville, California, shouldered the scoring load with 16 points. Kortney Doman of Crane, Oregon, was the only other Thunderbird in double digits, finishing with 11 points and two blocks. The Texans maintained their intensity after the break, outscoring Southern Utah 22-15 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 62-42. The Thunderbirds never mounted a rally in the final period, as both teams traded baskets with the outcome long decided. Tarleton State’s defense was relentless, forcing 18 Southern Utah turnovers and converting them into points. The Texans also controlled the paint, outrebounding the Thunderbirds and scoring heavily on second-chance opportunities. Southern Utah entered the contest having won three of its last four games, including a narrow overtime loss to California Baptist in its previous outing. The Thunderbirds will look to rebound quickly as they travel to face Abilene Christian on Saturday. Tarleton State, which had lost three of its last four, found its rhythm at home. The Texans will aim to build on this performance when they host Utah Tech on Saturday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Tarleton State was projected with a 65.50 percent probability to win, a forecast the Texans exceeded with their comprehensive performance.

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — The Southern Utah Thunderbirds look to rebound from a tough overtime loss when they visit the Tarleton State Texans in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball matchup Thursday at Wisdom Gym. Southern Utah (11-5) enters the contest after a narrow 82-77 overtime defeat to California Baptist on Jan. 10, a game in which guard Sierra Chambers played all 45 minutes, scoring 20 points and dishing nine assists. The Thunderbirds had won three straight prior to that loss. Chambers has been the engine for Southern Utah, averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 assists over her last six games. Her backcourt leadership will be critical against a Tarleton State defense that has struggled at times this season. The Texans (7-8) have lost three consecutive games, most recently a 64-59 loss at Abilene Christian on Jan. 8. In that contest, forward Shadasia Brackens led Tarleton State with 21 points, three assists and two blocks. Brackens has been a consistent scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game over her last six outings, but the Texans will need a more complete team performance to snap their skid. Southern Utah holds a clear advantage in overall record, but the Texans have shown resilience at home, including a 66-57 victory over Texas-Arlington on Dec. 29. Tarleton State will aim to control the tempo and limit Chambers’ playmaking, while the Thunderbirds seek to exploit their offensive depth, which includes contributors like Ava Uhrich (19 points vs. California Baptist) and Kortney Doman. This game is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They are set to play again in Cedar City, Utah, on Feb. 18. Tipoff is set for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Southern Utah visits Abilene Christian on Saturday, while Tarleton State hosts Utah Tech the same day.