Tarleton State Women’s Basketball is gearing up for its annual “Purple Out” game on Thursday at the EECU Center. The event will kick off at 7 p.m. as the Texans host Southern Utah, marking the team’s exciting debut in their new facility.
Purple Out Game Details
The “Purple Out” event is set to energize the EECU Center, where early attendees can receive free purple Tarleton State Basketball t-shirts, while supplies last. Tickets for the game start at $9 and can be purchased through TarletonSports.com/Tickets. Notably, admission is free for all Tarleton State students at home events.
Recent Performance and Standings
The Texans entered this match-up after a strong performance last season, defeating the Thunderbirds in the WAC Quarterfinals to reach their first conference final four in the Division I era. Currently, Southern Utah has tied for second place in the WAC standings, holding a 3-1 record in conference play.
Ava Uhrich’s Recognition
Ava Uhrich showcased her talents by earning the WAC Player of the Week award, marking her second such honor this season. The Texans are set to continue their success this week and will be broadcast on ESPN+ for fans who cannot attend.
Player Highlights
- Shadaisa Brackens: Recently named Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week, Brackens has made an impressive impact in her debut season with the Texans. She has achieved six double-doubles, the fastest for any Texan since the 2016-17 season.
- Career Performance: Brackens scored a career-high 21 points with nine rebounds against ACU on January 8, falling just short of another double-double.
New Additions to the Team
This season, Tarleton State has a roster filled with fresh talent, welcoming 12 newcomers among its 15-player team for 2025-26. This makes them the seventh team with the most new players in NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball.
- Roster includes:
- Four Division I transfers
- One Division II transfer
- Two junior college transfers
- Four freshmen
- The team has replaced eight seniors from the previous season.
Impressive Starting Line-Up
Tarleton State has seen strong contributions from its starting five: Gia Adams, Jakoriah Long, Kyriana Jones, Shadaisa Brackens, and Elodie Lutbert. Together, they have accounted for 77.8% of the team’s points this season, contributing to a 6-3 overall record.
This combination of starters accounted for an impressive 95% of the scoring during their recent game against ACU. Remarkably, all five starters scored in double figures in back-to-back games from December 2 to December 7. This achievement marks a significant milestone as it is the first time in the Division I era that all five starters reached this scoring feat consecutively.
As the Texans face Southern Utah, the excitement of the “Purple Out” game promises to be a memorable highlight in their season. Fans are encouraged to support the team as they strive for victory at home in their new arena.
