TYLER, Texas -- UT Tyler erased a late five-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime in Saturday's Lone Star Conference divisional matchup against UAFS, but the Patriots' comeback bid came up short in a 70-61 overtime defeat.
Kelsey Crouse tied the game twice in the final five minutes of regulation, including a three-point play when she was fouled while making a layup on a drive to the basket from the right side. That tied the game at 52-52 with 25 seconds to play, and a UAFS three-pointer came up short at the buzzer to send the game to overtime for the second time in the Patriots' past three games.
In the five-minute extra period, UAFS made 5-of-7 attempts from the field to build up a 6-point lead, 62-56, with 1:23 left, and the Lady Lions were a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line with UT Tyler forced to foul in the final minute.
Crouse scored 9 of her team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, leading a trio of double-digit scorers for UT Tyler, while Tamera Gulley led all scorers with 22 points to pace UAFS.
With the defeat, UT Tyler dropped to 3-12 overall, 1-10 in Lone Star Conference play, and 0-5 within the division. UAFS improved to 8-9 overall, 5-6 in the LSC, and 1-2 within the division.
Turning Point: UAFS took a 49-44 lead with 5 minutes remaining in overtime after a Hannah Boyett three-pointer, but UT Tyler got right back into the game when Beezy Birchette knocked down two free throws and Kelsey Crouse drilled a three-pointer on the next trip down the floor to tie the game at 49-49 with 3:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. After UAFS went back up by three with less than a minute to play, Crouse answered again, forcing overtime with a take to the basket that resulted in a game-tying three-point play.
How It Happened: UAFS used a 12-3 run to start the second quarter, opening up its largest lead of the game at 25-12 with 4:38 remaining in the second quarter. However, UT Tyler got right back into the game with nine straight points, part of a 23-7 run over the last 4:30 of the second quarter and the first eight minutes of the third quarter. Tori Shoemaker tied the game twice in the third quarter, first on a three-point play and then on a short jumper which tied the score at 31-31 with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter.
A pair of Kelsey Crouse free throws with 2:21 left in the third gave UT Tyler its first lead of the game, 33-32, and Tyreesha Blaylock's two-point jumper with 1:55 remaining gave the Patriots a 35-32 lead and completed the 23-7 run. UAFS answered with an 8-0 run to close out the third quarter and take a 40-35 lead into the fourth, but UT Tyler never let the deficit grow larger than five points throughout the fourth quarter. Crouse led the comeback with a tying three-pointer that made it 49-49 with 3:51 left, and she converted a three-point play with 25 seconds left which tied the game at 52-52 and forced overtime.
In overtime, UAFS grabbed offensive rebounds and converted them into second chance points on its first two possessions, and the Lady Lions didn't miss another shot the rest of the way. Tori Shoemaker, Kylea Johnson, and Tyreesha Blaylock scored the first six points in overtime for the Patriots, with Blaylock keeping UT Tyler within four, 62-58, with a layup with 48 seconds remaining. However, UAFS knocked down all eight of its free throws in the final minute to pull away for the win.
UT Tyler Standouts: In addition to her team-high 16 points, Kelsey Crouse dished out a game-high 4 assists and collected 2 of UT Tyler's season-high 13 steals. Tyreesha Blaylock led the defensive effort with 5 steals, while Tori Shoemaker posted 3 blocks along with 11 points. Kylea Johnson added 10 points, and Beezy Birchette turned in an 8-point, 8-rebound effort.
UAFS Standouts: Tamera Gulley registered game-highs of 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks to lead the Lady Lions, and Dachelle Terry added 10 points. Mar'Shalia Lollie was one point away from another double-double, scoring 9 points with 10 rebounds for UAFS.
By The Numbers: UT Tyler had higher overall and three-point shooting percentages, but UAFS produced a 49-29 rebounding margin which led to a 15-4 edge in second chance points… The Patriots shot 40 percent (22-for-55) overall and 38 percent (6-for-16) from three-point range… UAFS shot 38 percent (25-for-65) from the field, including a 25 percent (6-for-24) clip from three-point range… UAFS sank 14-of-18 (78 percent) free throws… UT Tyler was limited to 3 offensive rebounds, while UAFS grabbed 17 offensive boards… The Patriots' 13 steals represented half of UAFS' 26 turnovers, which were the most by a Patriots opponent this season… UT Tyler posted a 17-14 edge in points off turnovers and 17-12 edge in bench scoring… UAFS held a 32-20 edge in points in the paint and a 20-4 margin in fast break points.
What's Next: UT Tyler kicks off the second half of the 22-game Lone Star Conference schedule with the longest road trip of the season. The Patriots visit UT Permian Basin in Odessa on Thursday, Jan. 23, which is followed by a Saturday, Jan. 25 visit to Western New Mexico in Silver City, N.M.
