Tarleton State Women’s Basketball is gearing up for its annual “Purple Out” game on Thursday at the EECU Center. The event is set to begin at 7 p.m. as the Texans host Southern Utah. This game marks the first time the team will play in the state-of-the-art EECU Center, which opened in 2026, during a three-game homestand.
Game Details and Promotions
Early attendees will receive a free purple Tarleton State Basketball t-shirt while supplies last. Tickets start at $9 and can be purchased via TarletonSports.com/Tickets. Students enjoy complimentary admission to all home events.
Recent Performance and Standings
- The Texans defeated Southern Utah in last year’s WAC Quarterfinals.
- Currently, Southern Utah is tied for second in the WAC standings with a 3-1 record in conference play.
Ava Uhrich was named WAC Player of the Week, marking her second honor this season. Fans unable to attend can catch the game on ESPN+ or listen to Clayton Neville’s commentary on Tarleton Sports Network.
Player Highlights
Shadaisa Brackens has quickly made her mark this season. Recently awarded WAC Newcomer of the Week on December 23, Brackens achieved her sixth double-double faster than any player since 2016-17. She recently scored a career-high 21 points alongside nine rebounds against ACU. Brackens now leads the Texans in rebounding.
Prior to joining Tarleton State, she played 51 games for North Texas, accumulating 143 points and 82 rebounds.
Team Composition
In the 2025-26 season, Tarleton State Women’s Basketball features 12 newcomers on a 15-player roster, ranking seventh in NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball for the most newcomers. The team includes:
- Four Division I transfers
- One Division II transfer
- Two junior college transfers
- Four freshmen
The Texans have replaced eight seniors from last season’s roster, with notable transfers including Tessa Engelman, Jailynn Brill, Gia Adams, Shadasia Brackens, and Caroline Lyles.
Starting Lineup Performance
The starting five, composed of Gia Adams, Jakoriah Long, Kyriana Jones, Shadaisa Brackens, and Elodie Lutbert, has been pivotal in the Texans’ scoring. Together, they account for 77.8% of the team’s points and have led Tarleton to a 6-3 record with this lineup. In a recent game against ACU, the five starters scored 95% of the team’s total, achieving a remarkable feat.
This season, all five starters have scored in double figures during back-to-back games for the first time in the Division I era. The last occurrence of this remarkable consistency dated back to February 1989.
