SAN ANGELO ­– The Angelo State women's basketball team dropped its Lone Star Conference opener 81-71 to Tarleton State on Wednesday night at the Junell Center.

The Belles (5-6, 0-1 LSC) had their four game win streak snapped as the TexAnns (7-3, 1-1 LSC) scored 33 points off 23 ASU turnovers. Angelo State shot better from the field 50.0-percent to 45.3-percent for Tarleton State and outscored the TexAnns in the paint 26-24.

"It is just really hard in college basketball especially against a veteran team like Tarleton State to dig yourself into a 16-point deficit and recover because you spend all your energy digging yourself out of the hole," said ASU head women's basketball coach Cayla Petree. "We did have some high points but also some low points tonight. We have to do a better job coming out with energy to start the game."

Three Belles scored in double figures with Jasmine Caston leading the way with 19 points while Jackie Patterson was one off her career high with 18 points. Amanda Weaver chipped in 14 points and five assists.

Tarleton State jumped out to an early 20-5 lead as ASU committed eight turnovers during the first eight minutes of the first half. Newcomer Minja Savic hit a jumper to make it 23-7 and spark a 19-8 run. Jasmine Caston scored six points while Amanda Weaver capped the run off with a 3-pointer to cut what was a 16-point lead to 31-28 with 5:30 to go in the first half.

TSU forced three Belle turnovers to start an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 39-30 at the 3:12 mark. Weaver hit another 3-pointer to as ASU scored five-straight points before Tarleton State went on an 8-3 run with four seconds left to go up 47-38. Caston provided a highlight to end the half as she flung a shot from half court that went in at the buzzer to make cut the TexAnns lead to 47-41.

ASU hit 65.2-percent in the first half and 80-percent from the 3-point line. TSU sunk 53.1-percent from the field and was a perfect eight-for-eight from the charity stripe.   

The second half started much like the first as Tarleton State started with a 13-5 run to push its lead to 60-46 with 13:26 left in the second half. The Belles wouldn't quit outscoring the
TexAnns 11-7 to make it a 67-57 with 6:35 to go. A free throw contest ensued as the two teams combined to make 17 free throws over the final 6:35. The TexAnns hit 12 free throws down the stretch to secure the 81-71 victory.

The TexAnns were led by Raven McGrath's 19 points. Kathy Thomas scored 12 with Breanna Fuller adding 10 points. Ikpeaku Iwobi scored nine points and led all rebounders with 13 including 10 on the defensive end.

The Belles will return to action this weekend with two road games against Texas Woman's and Texas A&M-Commerce.