Aggies close season with loss to Tarleton State

GAME BOXSCORE»

LAWTON, Okla. (Feb. 26) - Junior center Arthur Trousdell led a group of four Aggies in double figures Saturday, but it wasn't enough to combat a strong shooting performance from Tarleton State.

The Texans shot 50 percent from the floor, including 53.1 percent in the second half, to run away for an 85-64 win in the season finale for the Cameron men's basketball team.

Coach Garrette Mantle's squad finished the season 15-12 overall (3-9 in LSC North play), giving the team its first winning season since the 1997-98 campaign.

Despite limiting the Aggies to a 35.8 shooting percentage and owning a decisive 42-26 rebounding advantage, Tarleton State wasn't able to pull away until late. The Aggies trailed just 37-33 at the half and got within eight on three straight free throws by Marcus Girtmon and Eric Moore with under seven minutes left in the game.

But after Moore's charity toss at the 6:33 mark made it 62-54, the Texans launched a 20-8 run capped by Derek Atwood's three-pointer to build a 20-point lead with just over a minute to play.

Cameron converted 21-of-24 free throw attempts in the game and committed just 10 turnovers. But Tarleton State owned a 44-18 advantage on points in the paint and outscored the Aggies 18-7 on points off turnovers. The Texans also led in second-chance points, 22-8.

Tarleton's David Stephens led all players in the game with 23 points. Nic Gamble added 19 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Texans (20-7, 9-3)

Senior Marcus Girtmon finished his career with 14 points, connecting on 3-of-9 three-pointers while hitting 5-of-6 from the line. Fellow senior Justin Harris added 14, as well, and Eric Moore scored 15. Cameron's third senior, forward Mike Wallace, finished with five points and five rebounds. Trousdell led the Aggies with 16 points and seven rebounds.