Basketball in Stephenville just feels different lately. If you haven't been to a game at the brand-new EECU Center yet, you're basically missing the start of a whole new era for Tarleton State women's basketball. Gone are the days of the old Wisdom Gym being the only place to catch a game; the program is officially a full-blown Division I entity now, and they have the shiny 8,000-seat arena to prove it. But it’s not just about the building. It’s about the fact that this team is currently navigating one of the most chaotic, high-stakes roster turnovers in the entire country.
Twelve newcomers. That’s the number you need to keep in your head. Out of a 15-player roster, 12 of these women are wearing a Texans jersey for the very first time this season. It's wild. Coach Bill Brock basically hit the reset button after losing eight seniors from last year's squad, and honestly, the results have been a roller coaster. One night they’re taking a top-tier opponent to double overtime, and the next, they’re struggling to find their rhythm on a cold road trip in Utah.
The Shadasia Brackens Factor and the New Look Texans
You can't talk about Tarleton State women's basketball right now without mentioning Shadasia Brackens. The North Texas transfer didn't just join the team; she took it over. She’s been racking up double-doubles faster than almost anyone in program history. In fact, she’s the first Texan since the 2016-17 season to hit six double-doubles this quickly.
She recently went off for a career-high 21 points against Abilene Christian. Even though the Texans dropped that one 64-59, Brackens was the reason they were even in it. She’s got this weirdly effective mix of size and shooting touch that makes her a nightmare to guard in the WAC.
But look, it’s not a one-woman show. The starting five—Gia Adams, Jakoriah Long, Kyriana Jones, Brackens, and Elodie Lutbert—account for nearly 78% of the team's total scoring. That’s a massive burden for five people to carry. When those five are clicking, the Texans are 6-3. When they aren't? Things get dicey. The bench is still trying to find its identity, which is sort of expected when you've got this many fresh faces trying to learn Brock’s system at the same time.
Defense Wins Games (And Blocks Everything)
If you like watching people get their shots swatted into the third row, you’ll love Elodie Lutbert. The freshman center has been a revelation. She’s already had multiple five-block games this season, including a dominant performance against UT Arlington. She’s currently climbing the program's single-season block list at a rate that’s honestly kind of scary for opposing guards.
Then you have Tessa Engelman, another transfer who brings a defensive edge. Between Lutbert and Engelman, the Texans have turned the paint into a "no-fly zone." It's one of the few constants for this team. While the offense can be streaky—shooting 52% in one quarter and then going cold the next—the rim protection has stayed solid.
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Navigating the WAC Minefield
The Western Athletic Conference is a grind. Plain and simple. This isn't the Lone Star Conference anymore. The Texans started 2026 with a tough road trip, dropping games to Utah Valley and California Baptist. Those are hard places to play. But then they came back home to the EECU Center on January 15th and absolutely dismantled Southern Utah 81-55.
That win was huge. It brought their record back to .500 (8-8) and proved they can compete with the upper echelon of the league.
What People Get Wrong About the Transition
Most fans think the "transition period" ended when the paperwork was filed. Not true. The real transition for Tarleton State women's basketball is happening right now in the locker room. Moving to D1 isn't just about playing harder teams; it's about the travel, the scouting, and the sheer physicality of the game.
Coach Bill Brock knows this better than anyone. Remember, this is a guy who spent years as an associate head coach at Baylor under Kim Mulkey. He’s seen what national championship basketball looks like. He isn't interested in just "competing." He wants to win. His record at Tarleton might look like a work in progress, but if you look at the way they’ve improved their home-court advantage—winning 13 games at home last season—you can see the foundation being laid.
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Key Players to Watch
- Jakoriah Long: The senior guard is a pure scoring threat. She’s already 14th all-time in career three-pointers at Tarleton. When she gets hot from deep, the energy in the building shifts.
- Gia Adams: Another DI transfer who has been huge. She’s averaging double digits and handles the ball under pressure better than most.
- Kyriana Jones: She’s the glue. She does the dirty work, grabs the boards, and hits the mid-range jumpers that keep defenses honest.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for the Texans?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They have a Saturday matinee against Utah Tech on January 17th, followed by a rematch with UT Arlington. The I-20 rivalry with Abilene Christian is also looming large. These are the games that will define whether this season ends in a high seed for the WAC Tournament or a "rebuilding year" narrative.
Honestly, the inconsistency is the biggest hurdle. One week they’re forcing 20 turnovers and shooting the lights out, and the next they’re struggling with their own ball security. But that’s the nature of a team with 12 new players. They are learning each other’s tendencies in real-time, under the bright lights of a new arena.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you’re following Tarleton State women's basketball, keep an eye on these specific metrics over the next few weeks. They’ll tell you more about the team’s trajectory than the win-loss column will:
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- Starter Minutes vs. Bench Production: Watch if Brock starts trusting his rotation more. If the bench can contribute 15-20 points consistently, the Texans become much harder to beat.
- Turnover Margin: Currently, the team is hovering around a -3.4 margin. They need to protect the rock better to win those close 5-point games they’ve been losing on the road.
- Lutbert’s Foul Trouble: Elodie Lutbert is essential for the defense. If she picks up two quick fouls in the first quarter, the Texans' interior defense crumbles. Watch how she manages her aggression.
- Three-Point Consistency: Jakoriah Long and Gia Adams need to hit from the perimeter to open up the lane for Brackens. If the outside shot isn't falling, teams will just pack the paint and dare them to shoot.
The era of Tarleton State women's basketball as a D1 newcomer is over. They are now an established member of the WAC, playing in one of the best mid-major facilities in the country. The 2026 season is the pivot point. It’s where "potential" has to turn into "production." Whether they can find that consistency before March is the only question that matters now.