Midnight Madness kicks off Texan Basketball final season in Wisdom Gym – Tarleton State University Athletics

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Basketball is back in the ‘Ville after the final Midnight Madness in Wisdom Gym on Thursday night into Friday morning.
 
In a tradition dating back as long as can be remembered, the Tarleton State men’s and women’s basketball 2024-25 squads ran on the floor for the first time to introduce themselves to Texan Nation. Both teams ran through a pair of flames as their names as they ran out in Wisdom Gym for the first time this season.
 
Women’s players Faith Acker and Elise Turrubiates helped emcee the contest hyping up the crowd. The duo emceed after midnight to help Wisdom Gym rock.
 
After introducing all members of both squads, both teams combined with randomly selected lucky fans for a pair of contests. First four teams of a men’s and women’s basketball player and a randomly selected fan compete in an NBA All Star Game-like tradition shooting contest. Each member of the group will made a layup, free throw or three-pointer. Then all three will combine to try and make a half-court shot. In a thrilling plot twist, fan Zane Drews sunk the half-court shot to give his team of Nick Krass and Alani Fluker. Drews celebrated with the crowd in his exciting moment.
 
The second game played will be a full court relay race dribbling contest. With four teams of one men’s and women’s player and a selected fan, the trio participated in a relay race consisting a full court dribbling and a pair of layups. In the title match, it came down to the final segment of the relay. Men’s player Ronnie Harrison Jr. saw his lead vanish when he missed his dunk, allowing Bubu Benjamin to bring the victory for his squad.
 
The women’s squad participated in an “Around the World” Shooting Competition. In a field of eight shooters, Angela Bigovic was crowned the champion showing off her impressive shooting skills.
 
The men’s squad kicked off the season with a Purple vs. White scrimmage. The game was offensive-heavy with a flurry of dunks and three pointers. White took the victory, 19-12.
 
To top off the night, “America’s Got Talent” Season 9 quarterfinalist Loop Rawlins thrilled the fans in Wisdom Gym with an amazing performance. Rawlins performed a series of trick roping and whip snapping in his first few routines. He then proceeded to place a rose in his mouth that he used the rope to snap the flower off. He concluded the night with a roping routine of his lasso lit on fire around his body. The crowd sat in awe as fire was around Rawlins and it seemed as he would never get out. Rawlins eventually got out and concluded his night to a thunderous round of applause.
 
As always, students lined up outside Wisdom Gym way before the doors opened to make sure they secured their best seat possible. In one of the longest lines in recent memory, basketball players handed out pizza to fans waiting for the doors to open. The first 1,000 fans were also rewarded with free t-shirts and neon light sticks to make the gym glow.
 
DJ Quan made the gym bounce through an electric atmosphere and bright neon lights throughout the night. Prior to midnight Texan cheer, the Texan Stars and the color guard provided exhilarating performances. Each group gave Texan nation a glimpse of what to expect during the 2024-25 season along with basketball.
 
The men’s squad will start their 2024-25 campaign on October 28^th with a 7 p.m. exhibition against UT-Tyler at Wisdom Gym. Brock’s women’s team will open their campaign with an exhibition on October 30^th in Wisdom Gym against Howard Payne at 6 p.m.
 
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BAREFOOT CAMPUS OUTFITTER

Barefoot Campus Outfitter is sponsoring Tarleton State’s 2024 Midnight Madness. Barefoot Campus Outfitter was founded on the novel & rebellious idea that campus apparel should be cool. Visit their store at 1296 W Washington St, Stephenville, TX 76401 or online here to get the latest Tarleton State merchandise.