There is always a big difference in the regular season and tournament-play. Tarleton State proved that once again in Friday’s semifinal game of the LSC Championships.

After losing the regular-season finale to West Texas A&M last Saturday, the Texans avenged the loss six days later in a major way, rolling past the Buffaloes 66-48 at the Allen Event Center.

The convincing win not only advances Tarleton to Saturday night’s LSC final against the winner of Midwestern State/Incarnate Word, but might solidify the Texans a spot in the regional tournament.

• 2013 LSC Basketball Championship Central (links for video, stats, recaps, photos and press conferences)

Tarleton (19-9) entered the game ranked eighth in the regional rankings with the top eight seeds advancing.

However, Tarleton is hoping to avoid any doubt of a postseason by securing an automatic bid by winning the LSC Championship. This is the fourth straight appearance for the Texans, who have lost in the finals the last three years, including twice to Midwestern State. Tarleton has not won the LSC Championship since 2003.

Just six days earlier, Tarleton dropped a 58-55 heartbreaker to the Buffaloes. But it was a different story in Allen, thanks to point guard Chuck Guy, who scored 17 points and dished out seven assists.

Jon Cathey-Macklin just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Coleman Furst, Damion Clemons and De’Andre Upchurch each scored eight.

The Buffs (18-10) had three players in double figures, led by Kennon Washington’s 13. Darnell Jackson scored 11 and Mason White added 10. Senior Donald Sims, who ranked 10^th in the LSC in scoring at 13.7 points per game, scored just two on 1-of-7 shooting.

Tarleton led 24-14 late in the first half before an 8-0 run by the Buffaloes. But the Texans quickly responded that with a 9-0 run that carried over into the second half. The Texans quickly pushed the lead to 11 and eventually had a 21-point lead at the 5:47 mark of the second half.

The season likely comes to an end for the Buffaloes, who were ninth in the last South Central rankings.
 


 
Tarleton State Notes

• Tarleton State advances to the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament final for the fourth straight year and for the ninth time in program history. The Texans are 1-7 in LSC Postseason Tournament title games.
• Tarleton State improves to 22-13 (.623) all time in the LSC Postseason Tournament.
• TSU has defeated West Texas A&M four times in six tries in LSC tournament play.
• The Texans shot 50 percent from the field for the fourth time this season. TSU is 4-0 in those contests.
• Junior guard Trevor Guy scored in double figures for the 21st time this season finishing with a game-high 17 points. He has dished out 15 assists in two tournament game.

 
West Texas A&M Notes

• The Buffalos have the most wins by any team in LSC Tournament history with a 32-15 record.

 

• WT entered the conference tournament ranked #9 in the region and now must wait and see if they get an invite to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

 

• WT defeated Tarleton State last Saturday, 58-55 in Canyon, TX.  The teams split the season series and now the Buffs have a 23-19 all-time record against the Texans.

 

• This is the second straight year and third time in the last four years the Buffs have lost to the Texans in the LSC semifinals.  The Buffs have lost in the conference semifinals each of the past four years.

 

• All-Conference forward Donald Sims was held to a season low two points.  He was 1-for-7 from the field and entered the game shooting a conference best 63.5 percent from the floor.