From start to finish, Tarleton State controlled the tempo, the momentum and consequently, the final scoreboard in a quarterfinal matchup at the Lone Star Conference Women’s Basketball Championship with Eastern New Mexico, a team that actually swept the regular-season series.

But with all five starters scoring in double figures, the TexAnns outscored the Greyhounds in all but one quarter, finishing with an 83-61 victory at Dr Pepper Arena Friday, sending the defending tournament champions into Saturday’s semifinal round against the winner of Angelo State/Texas Woman’s.

Mackenzie Hailey just missed a double-double, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds. She was joined in double-figures by Tiara Tatum and McKinley Bostad, who each had 17 points. Katie Webster scored 14 points and Kylie Collins added 10. 

The TexAnns shot 51.8 percent from the floor (29 of 56), and outscored ENMU 44-28 in the second half to pull away for the decisive win.  

The season ends for the Greyhounds, who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed. Shelby Jones led her team with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Sarina Johnson added 12 points.

TSU avenged a pair of losses to the Greyhounds, who won 78-72 in overtime on Dec. 9 in Stephenville, and then 64-59 in Portales on Feb. 1.

Friday’s win certainly helps Tarleton State’s chances of grabbing one of the top eight seeds for next week’s regional tournament. The TexAnns entered the weekend ranked ninth. TSU would win the automatic berth for the NCAA tournament with two more victories in Frisco.

Tarleton has just two LSC Championship titles (2012, 2017), but is looking for back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.