NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- UT Tyler got another important game of experience under its belt with its second exhibition game of the 2020-21 campaign, falling to Stephen F. Austin, 85-43, Saturday afternoon.

The Patriots finished the game by outscoring SFA, 17-11, in the fourth quarter, as Josephine Elliott scored a game-high 12 points while Azaria Reed added 10 points.

The contest was UT Tyler's second exhibition game of the season, and the Patriots begin Lone Star Conference play after the New Year when it hosts Lubbock Christian for a pair of games Jan. 2-3.

Turning Point: Stephen F. Austin broke a 6-6 tie midway through the first quarter by finishing the period with 14 consecutive points. The Ladyjacks continued their momentum with a 9-0 run to open the second quarter, taking a 29-6 lead before Azaria Reed scored with 6:58 left in the second quarter to snap SFA's 23-0 scoring run.

How It Happened: Kelsey Crouse and Azaria Reed each made baskets early in the first quarter to give UT Tyler an early 4-3 lead, and midway through the opening quarter the Patriots were still tied with the Ladyjacks, 6-6, following a Shequana Jackson layup.

However, Stephen F. Austin reeled off 23 consecutive points over the final five minutes of the first quarter and the first three minutes of the second quarter to take a 29-6 lead. Niah Richard and Josephine Elliott each knocked down three-pointers to help the Patriots finish with a 10-point second quarter, and Richard added another three-pointer as UT Tyler posted another 10-point third quarter.

The Patriots settled into a groove at both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter, scoring 6 of the first 9 points in the first 5:05 of the final period. Crouse highlighted the fourth-quarter offense with a three-point play with 7:38 remaining in the game. UT Tyler finished the game on a 9-2 run.

UT Tyler Standouts: Josephine Elliott scored 5 of her game-high 12 points in the fourth quarter, and Azaria Reed also reached double figures with 10 points for the Patriots. Shequana Jackson was UT Tyler's leading rebounder with 7, while Niah Richard added 8 points, 5 rebounds, and a team-high 3 steals. Jazmin George dished out a game-high 4 assists.

Stephen F. Austin Standouts: Marissa Banfield led SFA with a game-high 12 points, generating all of her scoring from beyond the three-point arc on 4-of-9 three-point shooting. The Ladyjacks had two more double-digit scorers, as Zya Nugent added 11 points while Avery Brittingham came off the bench to score 10 points to go with a game-high 8 rebounds.

By The Numbers: The Patriots made 4-of-9 three-pointers in the contest, with Elliott and Niah Richard making two each from long range… UT Tyler registered 7 steals in the game, but SFA forced 29 Patriot turnovers and generated a 30-12 advantage in points off turnovers… Stephen F. Austin posted a 49-39 rebounding margin and a 15-8 edge in second chance points… The Patriots shot 31 percent (16-for-52) overall, including a 44 percent (4-for-9) clip on three-pointers… Stephen F. Austin shot 43 percent (32-for-75) overall and 28 percent (10-for-36) from three-point range.

What's Next: UT Tyler opens Lone Star Conference play after the New Year, hosting defending Lone Star Conference champion Lubbock Christian for two games on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 2-3.