STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the Tarleton State Texans used a dominant second-half performance to pull away from the Merrimack Warriors for a 76-62 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Wisdom Gym.

A crowd of 1,353 watched as the Texans, now 2-2, broke open a tight contest by outscoring the Warriors 42-31 after halftime. The win was fueled by a stifling defensive effort that forced 20 Merrimack turnovers, which Tarleton State converted into 26 points.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. The Texans took a narrow 34-31 advantage into the break, but the game’s complexion changed dramatically in the second period. Tarleton State’s offense found its rhythm, shooting efficiently from the floor while its defense consistently disrupted Merrimack’s sets.

Chris Mpaka was the catalyst for the Texans. The 6-foot-6 forward from Kinshasa, Congo, delivered a game-high 24 points, showcasing his efficiency around the rim and adding four blocked shots in 30 minutes of action. His presence in the paint was a constant challenge for the Warriors, who shot just 32.8 percent from the field.

Freddy Hicks provided a crucial all-around performance for the Texans, scoring 18 points while contributing five assists and four blocks. His playmaking and defensive versatility were instrumental in Tarleton State’s second-half surge. The Texans shared the ball effectively, tallying 10 assists as a team compared to just five for Merrimack.

The Warriors, who fell to 0-3, were led by Ernest Shelton’s 20 points. Kevair Kennedy added 12 points for Merrimack, which kept the game competitive for stretches by getting to the free-throw line, where they made 19 of 24 attempts. However, their inability to take care of the basketball and their cold shooting from beyond the arc—5 for 28—proved insurmountable.

A key disparity came in the paint, where the Texans outscored the Warriors 44 to 28, leveraging their size and athletic advantage. Tarleton State also capitalized on transition opportunities, outscoring Merrimack 13-9 on fast breaks.

Jordan Mizell of Plano, Texas, facilitated the Texans’ offense with steady guard play over 35 minutes, while Kaia Isaac of Christchurch, New Zealand, provided energy off the bench. For Merrimack, Aliou Cisse chipped in with seven points and a block.

The game was a tale of two offensive efficiencies. Tarleton State scored 76 points on 73 possessions, an offensive rating of 104.3, while Merrimack managed just 62 points on 76 possessions, an offensive rating of 81.2. The Texans’ ability to generate higher-quality shots and capitalize on Merrimack’s mistakes was the definitive factor in the outcome.

The loss extends a difficult start to the season for Merrimack, which has faced a challenging early schedule with road games against Auburn and South Dakota State. Tarleton State, meanwhile, evened its record after a blowout loss to LSU and a high-scoring win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in its previous outings.

Merrimack will look for its first win of the season when it travels to face Boston University on Saturday. Tarleton State faces a significant test in its next contest, a road game against Baylor on Friday.