TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots will start their 2021-2022 season with home games against LeTourneau on Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. and Henderson State on Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
 
A NEW ERA
 
The 2021-2022 season will mark the first year that UT Tyler is eligible for postseason consideration after becoming full-fledged Division II members. The Lone Star Conference has returned to a traditional single round-robin conference schedule for their 17 teams set to compete this season, with four or five additional games against conference opponents that will not count towards the league standings.
 
The LSC Basketball Championship has also returned to a 12-team field in 2022, with the championships taking place on March 1-3-4-5-6, 2022, with opening round games taking place on campus followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and a championship game at a final site to be announced at a later date.
 
COACH ALVIDREZ
 
Head coach Rebecca Alvidrez will begin her first season at the reigns here at UT Tyler. Alvidrez brings in over 20 years of coaching experience, most recently working as an Associate Head Coach at Stephen F. Austin University. Alvidrez was a key component in the Lumberjacks rise to the top of the Southland Conference and an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
 
Her most successful tenure was at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, where she was an Associate Head Coach. Alvidrez helped lead the Seawolves to a pair of NCAA Division II Final Four appearances and six total NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Patriots have met with LeTourneau 33 total times. UT Tyler leads the all-time series 31-3 and their most recent meeting came on January 31, 2019, with the Patriots coming away with a 69-46 victory. UT Tyler is on a five-game winning streak against the Yellowjackets.
 
Saturday's contest against Henderson State will mark the first ever meeting between the two schools. Henderson State is a member of the Great American Conference, which consists of schools from Arkansas and Oklahoma.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
The Yellowjackets sit with a record of 1-1 in the early season. They are averaging 70.5 points per game on 33% shooting from the floor. On the defensive side of the ball, their opponents are averaging 66 points on 37.3% shooting.
 
LeTourneau is led by head coach Cassi Rozanksi. Rozanski is in her fifth season as head coach and has compiled a career record of 38-58. Most recently, Rozanski led the Yellowjackets to their second consecutive quarterfinals appearance in the American Southwest Conference tournament last season.
 
Henderson State also sits at a record of 1-1 on the season. The Reddies are averaging 73.5 points per contest on 38.4% shooting. Their opponents are averaging 79 points per game and are currently shooting 40.3% from the floor.
 
The Reddies are led by Jill Thomas who is in her ninth season at the helm. Thomas has compiled a career record of 177-151. Thomas has led the Reddies to a GAC tournament berth seven total times.
 
A REVAMPED ROSTER
 
The Patriots will bring in a host of new players to the 2021-2022 season. Lauren Cortinas, Niah Richard, Kelsey Crouse, Taylor Jackson, Madison Davis, and Azaria Reed will be the returning veterans for coach Alvidrez.
 
Leading the pack of newcomers will be a group of Division I transfers in Elli Emrich (Utah State), Martina Machalova (Boise State), and Liah Davis (Colorado State). In addition, Destini Whitehead (Panola College), Keaundra Eddings (Blinn College), and Montse Gutierrez (Eastern Wyoming College) all will make the transition from junior colleges to Division II. The Patriots will also welcome in a trio of international recruits in Enisa Kamerolli (Vushtrri, Kosovo), Claudia Garrido Tribaldos (Barcelona, Spain), and Lovisa Hevinder (Stockhom, Sweden).
 
ON TAP FOR THE PATRIOTS
 
UT Tyler will take on Southern Arkansas next week at home on Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. before taking a three week break from hosting at the Herrington Patriot Center. Following that contest against the Muleriders, the Patriots will head to the Lion Hoopsgiving Presented by Best Western Plus tournament to take on Northeastern State and Arkansas-Monticello.
 
Following the Thanksgiving tournament, the Patriots will meet Midwestern State, UAFS, Oklahoma Christian, and Texas Woman's in their four non-conference contests against LSC foes. UT Tyler will open up conference play on December 31^st at 2 p.m. against Texas Woman's.