TYLER, Texas - The UT Tyler Men's Basketball team opened the new year with a matchup against Sul Ross State at home on Thursday night. The Patriots defeated the Lobos 89-79, moving to 7-7 overall.
Sul Ross opened the game with a basket in the first minute of play before the Patriots scored 10 unanswered points, taking an early 10-2 lead. The Patriots would stretch their lead behind a 16-4 run that lasted just under eight minutes. At the first media timeout, UT Tyler led 16-6. Sul Ross would cut the lead to four at its smallest margin before the Patriots put some distance between the teams in the final 9:30 of play. Up 16-12, UT Tyler would outscore the Lobos 35-19 over the final 10 minutes of play to take a 49-31 lead into the half.
UT Tyler would maintain their double-digit advantage through the first seven minutes of play before the Lobos brought the game within seven points. Sul Ross would use the deep ball to cut the lead to five with 5:17 remaining in regulation. The lead would not grow to double-digits as the teams traded buckets for the next three minutes of play. The Patriots would shutdown the three-ball with just over three minutes remaining, going 11-14 at the line to take the 89-79 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS:
The late success at the line gave UT Tyler the advantage in Thursday's game as UT Tyler finished the night with 24 makes on 34 attempts. The Patriots would shoot 26 free throws in the second half. UT Tyler shot 47.5% from the field while draining seven shots from behind the arc. 38 points were scored in the paint while UT Tyler used the fast break to score 27 points. The bench contributed 16 points while the Patriots scored 17 points off of turnovers. The game was never tied after the tip with UT Tyler leading the game for 37:54.
UT TYLER LEADERS:
Chris Craig finished with a double-double, scoring 19 points, hauling in 11 rebounds.
Corbin Stephens added the second Patriot double-double, scoring 12 points, recording 10 rebounds.
Darius Alford finished the night with 23 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
Tyrick Bennett scored 13 points, dishing out five assists.
Omar Mohamed finished with 10 points.
The Patriots will host Howard Payne University on Saturday, January 5 at 3:00 p.m. Admission will be free.
