TYLER, Texas -- UT Tyler wasn't able to deliver the upset it was looking for in its Lone Star Conference opener, but the Patriots made a solid opening impression by keeping No. 12-ranked St. Edward's within striking distance during a 60-51 defeat Thursday night.

Jerekius Davis scored 15 of his game-high 18 points in the second half to help the Patriots erase most of a double-digit deficit and give the highly-ranked Hilltoppers a battle down the stretch.

With the defeat, UT Tyler fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the Lone Star Conference, while St. Edward's improved to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Turning Point: St. Edward's took a 35-23 halftime lead and scored the first basket of the second half to take a 37-23 lead, but the Patriots got right back into the contest with a 16-6 run over the next six minutes. Ty Glover knocked down a midrange jumper to spark the Patriots offense, and Chris Giles hit the first of four three-pointers during the rally. Jerekius Davis hit the next three from deep, adding a driving layup before making consecutive threes to cut the lead to 43-39 with 12:49 to play. From that point on, St. Edward's only led by double digits one more time, an 11-point margin with 7:46 left which was erased by a Ty Glover three on the next possession.

How It Happened: St. Edward's built a 35-23 halftime lead after hitting six first-half three-pointers and shooting 54 percent (13-for-24) from the field in the opening frame. The Patriots used a 16-6 run to slash the Hilltoppers' comfortable 14-point cushion to a slim four-point edge, 43-39, with 12:49 remaining.

The Patriots held St. Edward's without a second-half three-pointer, and the Hilltoppers were only 7-for-12 (58 percent) from the free throw line after halftime, as UT Tyler mounted its rally. St. Edward's used a 12-3 run to push the lead back to 11, 51-40, with 7:46 to play, but Ty Glover answered with a three and Bryson Power was credited with a putback with 5:58 left to pull UT Tyler within six, 51-45, with 5:58 remaining.

The Patriots answered each of the next three St. Edward's scores to keep the margin at six heading into the final two minutes, but UT Tyler went scoreless after Ansu Sesay's layup with 2:46 to play. The Hilltoppers committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions before knocking down three free throws in the final 39 seconds of the contest for the final 60-51 margin.

UT Tyler Standouts: Jerekius Davis led all scorers with 18 points, pouring in 15 points in the second half to lead UT Tyler back from a double-digit deficit. He was the only Patriot in double figures, although Chris Giles scored 8 points while Ty Glover and Da'Zhon Wyche added 7 points each. Ansu Sesay and Micah Fuller tied for the team lead in rebounds with 7 each, and Da'Zhon Wyche dished out a team-high 4 assists.

St. Edward's Standouts: Dorian Lopez scored a team-high 15 points and tied for the Hilltoppers' rebounding lead with 8 boards. Jake Krafka also pulled down 8 rebounds while scoring 8 points, and August Haas turned in a 9-point, 5-assist effort. Corey Shervill came off the bench to score 9 points, while the Patriots held Ashton Spears, the 2019 Heartland Conference Player of the Year to 7 points with 6 turnovers.

By The Numbers: UT Tyler posted a 35-32 rebounding edge, which led to an 8-2 margin in second chance points… St. Edward's posted a 32-22 margin in scoring in the paint… The teams combined for 49 turnovers, as the Hilltoppers' 23 turnovers and the Patriots' 26 both registered as season-highs in turnovers… After hitting 6-of-14 first-half three-pointers, St. Edward's went 0-for-10 from beyond the arc after halftime, finishing the game at 25 percent (6-for-24) on three-point shooting… UT Tyler shot 37 percent (21-for-57) overall and 24 percent (7-for-29) from three-point range.

What's Next: UT Tyler continues its first season in the Lone Star Conference by hosting St. Mary's University on Saturday, Nov. 23.