STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — In a Western Athletic Conference rematch decided by the slimmest of margins and the final seconds of overtime, Tarleton State exacted a measure of revenge on Monday night, edging Abilene Christian 65-62 at a raucous Wisdom Gym.

Just 48 hours after falling to the Wildcats by 14 points in Abilene, the Texans rallied from a second-half deficit, survived a last-second regulation miss, and made the necessary plays in the extra period to square their season record at 13-13. Abilene Christian fell to 12-14.

The game’s defining sequence, and its most important part, arrived in the frantic final eight seconds of overtime. With Tarleton State clinging to a 62-60 lead, Abilene Christian’s Chilaydrien Newton, known as Cbo, drove and converted a difficult layup to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining. The Texans called a timeout to set up a final play.

Out of the break, the ball found its way to Jordan Mizell. The guard from Plano drove hard into the lane, absorbed contact from Abilene Christian’s Rich Smith, and banked in a layup with just eight seconds on the clock. He was fouled on the play and calmly sank the ensuing free throw, completing the critical three-point play to put the Texans up 65-62.

Abilene Christian had one final chance to force a second overtime. After advancing the ball, they designed a play for Smith, but his driving layup attempt in heavy traffic rolled off the rim as time expired, sealing the Texans’ hard-fought victory.

The contest was a defensive struggle marked by physical play and scoring droughts. Abilene Christian led 26-22 at halftime, but Tarleton State found its rhythm after the break. A key 11-2 run midway through the second half, fueled by Kade Douglas and Mizell, gave the Texans their first sustained lead.

Douglas, a guard from Lancaster, was the offensive catalyst for Tarleton State, finishing with a game-high 24 points. His backcourt partner, Mizell, added 18 points, none more crucial than his overtime and-one. Their combined 42 points provided the backbone for the Texans’ offense.

Abilene Christian was carried by forward Bradyn Hubbard. The 6-foot-7 junior from Tulsa matched Douglas with 24 points of his own, demonstrating a versatile inside-out game. Newton supported him with 14 points, and Smith added 12, but the Wildcats’ offense sputtered at inopportune times, particularly in the overtime period where they managed only four points.

The Wildcats had a golden opportunity to win in regulation. Trailing 58-57 with 14 seconds left, Hubbard was fouled and sent to the line for two shots. He made the first to tie the game but missed the second. Tarleton State’s Ocypher Owens secured the rebound and was immediately fouled with nine seconds left. Owens, who had a strong all-around game with six points and two blocks, made the first free throw to give the Texans a 59-58 lead but missed the second.

Abilene Christian’s Yaniel Rivera grabbed the defensive board and pushed the ball ahead to Newton, whose rushed jumper from the wing as time expired missed, sending the game to an extra period tied at 59-59.

Defense and rebounding were central themes. Tarleton State’s Freddy Hicks, despite scoring only two points, impacted the game significantly with three blocked shots, including a pivotal swat in overtime. Andy Sigiscar, the 6-foot-9 forward from France, added two blocks and seven points. For Abilene Christian, Joseph Venzant of Midland provided energy off the bench with four points and three steals.

The win splits the season series between the interstate rivals, with each team protecting its home court. An announced crowd of 2,183 witnessed the tense battle, which saw 11 ties and 12 lead changes.

Both teams continue WAC play this week. Tarleton State hosts Southern Utah on Thursday, while Abilene Christian prepares to welcome Southern Utah on Saturday.