AUSTIN, Texas -- UT Tyler couldn't keep up with No. 17-ranked St. Edward's and its impressive three-point shooting performance as the Hilltoppers made 21 three-pointers in a 105-70 victory over the Patriots Thursday night in Austin.
St. Edward's shot 60 percent from beyond the arc, hitting 21-of-35 three-point attempts, and the Hilltoppers committed only 6 turnovers in the opening game of this week's two-game Lone Star Conference series.
Micah Fuller (23 points) and Da'Zhon Wyche (21 points) led all scorers in the game, although St. Edward's countered with five double-figure scorers.
UT Tyler drops to 1-5 overall and 0-5 in Lone Star Conference play, while St. Edward's improves to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the LSC.
Turning Point: After Micah Fuller and Da'Zhon Wyche each hit a three-pointer in the first two minutes of the contest, helping UT Tyler to an early 8-5 lead, St. Edward's responded with a 35-8 run over the next 10 minutes to take a 40-16 lead. The Hilltoppers scored 15 straight to start the run, and they knocked down seven three-pointers as they extended the lead into double digits for good.
How It Happened: Seven different players made a first-half three-pointer for St. Edward's, including five different players combining for seven threes in a 35-8 run which gave the Hilltoppers a 40-16 lead with 8:28 left in the first half. St. Edward's led by at least 18 points throughout the rest of the half, and Carson Murphy's three-pointer in the final minute of the half sent the Hilltoppers into halftime with 11 three-point makes and a 57-36 lead.
St. Edward's stayed sharp from long distance in the second half, as well, hitting 10 more three-pointers at a 59 percent (10-for-17) clip. Ryan Garza opened the second-half scoring with one of his six three-pointers in the contest, and UT Tyler never got closer than the 21-point halftime margin.
UT Tyler Standouts: Micah Fuller and Da'Zhon Wyche were the game's leading scorers, with Fuller scoring a game-high 23 points while Wyche finished with a season-high 21. It was the second 20-point game this season for Fuller, who was perfect (9-for-9) at the free throw line and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists. It was the first 20-point game at UT Tyler for Wyche, whose previous high with the Patriots was 13 points. Wyche was 9-for-14 from the field, and he also had 3 assists along with a game-high 3 steals.
St. Edward's Standouts: The Hilltoppers had five players in double figures, led by 18 points each from Carson Murphy and Ryan Garza. Murphy's only miss of the night came at the free throw line, as he made 6-of-6 overall, 3-of-3 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 at the line. Garza, meanwhile, scored all his points from beyond the arc, hitting 6-of-8 three-point attempts to help lead St. Edward's to a 60 percent (21-for-35) three-point shooting percentage in the game.
By The Numbers: Micah Fuller's 23-point performance was his second 20-point game this season and seventh in a UT Tyler uniform… Da'Zhon Wyche's 21-point effort was his scoring high at UT Tyler, eclipsing his previous best of 13 points (3 times)… UT Tyler posted a 38-29 rebounding edge, including 17 offensive boards for the Patriots… That led to a 14-8 edge in second chance points for UT Tyler… St. Edward's forced 16 Patriot turnovers while committing just 6, leading to a 28-6 margin in points off turnovers… UT Tyler shot 43 percent (26-for-60) from the field, including a 33 percent (7-for-21) clip from three-point range… St. Edward's finished 59 percent overall (39-for-66) and 60 percent (21-for-35) on three-pointers.
What's Next: UT Tyler returns to Tyler to host the rematch of the two-game Lone Star Conference series with St. Edward's this week. The Patriots take on the No. 17-ranked Hilltoppers Saturday, Jan. 9, at 5:30 p.m.
