SAN MARCOS, Texas (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by offensive inefficiency, the Tarleton State Texans grinded out a 56-45 victory over the Texas State Bobcats in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Strahan Coliseum.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 841, was a tale of two halves and ultimately decided by a dominant fourth-quarter performance from the visiting Texans. After a low-scoring first half and a third-quarter surge from the Bobcats, Tarleton State seized control late, outscoring Texas State 21-8 in the final period to pull away for the win.

The game’s offensive woes were stark. Tarleton State scored 56 points on 70 possessions, while Texas State managed just 45 points on 75 possessions. Both teams struggled mightily from beyond the arc. The Texans shot 4 of 16 from three-point range, but the Bobcats’ shooting was historically poor, failing to connect on any of their 13 attempts from deep.

From the field overall, Texas State was held to 19 of 63 shooting, a 30.2 percent clip. Tarleton State fared better but was not efficient, making 23 of 51 attempts. The Texans also committed 20 turnovers, but mitigated the damage by forcing 13 turnovers of their own and winning the rebounding battle.

The first half was a defensive slugfest. Tarleton State established an early lead, ending the first quarter up 13-11. The offensive struggles intensified in the second quarter, with the Texans managing only nine points and the Bobcats just eight, sending Tarleton State into the locker room with a narrow 22-19 advantage.

Texas State emerged from the break with renewed energy, putting together their best stretch of the game in the third quarter. The Bobcats outscored the Texans 18-13 in the period, briefly taking the lead and heading into the final quarter trailing by just two points, 35-33.

Any momentum the Bobcats built was swiftly extinguished in the fourth. Tarleton State’s offense finally found a rhythm, spearheaded by key plays on both ends of the floor. The Texans opened the quarter on a decisive run, stretching their lead and holding Texas State to just eight points on 4-of-16 shooting in the final frame to secure the victory.

Tarleton State was led by the duo of Shadasia Brackens and Gia Adams, who each scored 16 points. Brackens, a 5-foot-11 guard from Fairfield, Texas, added two assists in 36 minutes of action. Adams, a 5-6 guard from Houston, filled the stat sheet with five assists and a block over 39 minutes.

Elodie Lutbert of Sainte-Luce, Martinique, provided a crucial interior presence for the Texans, scoring 10 points and recording two blocks. Kyriana Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas, chipped in six points, all of which came in the second half.

For Texas State, Saniya Burks of Mexia, Texas, shouldered the scoring load with 16 points. Kyra Anderson of Huntington, Texas, added eight points in the losing effort.

With the win, Tarleton State improved its season record to 3-4. The loss dropped Texas State to 1-5 on the young season. The Texans will look to build on the victory when they travel to face Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 2. The Bobcats will aim to regroup at home against Prairie View on Nov. 30.