MEMPHIS, Tennessee - The UT Tyler Men's Basketball team closed the 2018 portion of their schedule with a matchup against Rhodes College on Sunday. The Patriots fell to the Lynx 73-91, moving to 5-6 overall. 

The Patriots would have to play from behind to start Sunday's matchup as Rhodes opened the game on a 17-3 run that spanned six minutes. UT Tyler would battle their way back into the game over the next 10 minutes of play, cutting the lead to just two points with 4:51 remaining in regulation. Davis Moore would sink a three, putting the score at 33-31, UT Tyler's smallest margin of the first half. A three-point basket from Corbin Stephens with :45 remaining, cut the lead to six (37-43) at the half. 

The Patriots would be unable to complete the comeback in the second half as Rhodes took a double-digit lead that they would not return to the Patriots. 22 would be the largest deficit of the afternoon for UT Tyler as the cut the lead to 18 as the final buzzer sounded. 

UT TYLER LEADERS:
Darius Alford led the way for the Patriots, scoring 17 points in 29 minutes of play. Alford added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Davis Moore went 4-5 from deep, scoring 14 points in the loss. Corbin Stephens and newcomer Bryson Power each added nine points. Chris Craig led the Patriots with six rebounds. 

UP NEXT:
The Patriots return to play at home this week with matchups against Sul Ross State and Howard Payne. UT Tyler will host Sul Ross on Thursday, January 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Howard Payne on January 5 at 3:00 p.m. 

Both games will be played at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center and admission will be free.