TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots will host the Muleriders on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and then hit the road for neutral site games against Northeastern State and Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday and Sunday at the Lion Hoopsgiving Pres. By Best Western Plus tournament in Commerce, Texas.
FINDING THE FLOW
The Patriots are 1-1 in the young season, taking a victory against LeTourneau and then an eight point loss to Henderson State on Saturday. The program is averaging 72 points per contest so far and shooting 47.7% from the floor as a team. Add in 40.5 rebounds per game and 16 assists per game and the offense looks to be finding a rhythm in the early going.
SERIES HISTORY
UT Tyler has never squared off against the Muleriders, Riverhawks, or Cotton Blossoms at any point in their history. This will make it four consecutive opponents that the program has met for the first time after playing Henderson State for the first time ever on Saturday afternoon.
Southern Arkansas and Arkansas-Monticello each join Henderson State in the Great American Conference. Northeastern State lies in the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
The Muleriders are 3-0 on the young season. They are averaging 94 points per game and are shooting at a 42.7% rate. On defense, they are giving up an average of 78.3 points on 47.8% shooting.
They are coached by Adam Collins who is in his fourth season. He holds a record of 27-47 at Southern Arkansas and is 186-177 overall in his career.
The Riverhawks are 2-2 so far this season. They are averaging 74.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score just 53 points per game. Northeastern State shoots at a 38.9% rate while their opponents shoot just under that at 37.4%.
They are led by Fala Suiaunoa who is in her fifth season as head coach. She owns a career record of 89-130 and has a 29-78 record at Northeastern State.
The Cotton Blossoms have started out the season 0-3. They average 60.5 points per contest and shoot 36.5% from the floor. Their opponents are averaging 77.5 points per game and shoot 42.8% from the floor.
They are led by head coach Markell Cox who is in his second season at the helm. Cox holds an overall record of 20-49 and has a 1-10 record at Arkansas-Monticello.
SCORING IN THE PAINT
The Patriots have used their paint presence to their advantage thus far in the season. Against LeTourneau, the Patriots had an incredible 52 points in the paint, and they followed that up with 44 more points in the paint against Henderson State. 66.7% of their points so far this year have come in the paint.
Leading the way for UT Tyler has been
Liah Davis. Davis has scored 34 of her 40 points in the paint on 59.4% shooting in the first two games of the year.
ON THE HORIZON
Following this week's action, the Patriots will get a two week break from action to regroup and get ready for the grueling back half of the schedule. They will hit the road for their first true road game on Dec. 13 against Midwestern State before coming back to the Herrington Patriot Center for a Dec. 16 contest against UAFS. That week will conclude with another home game against Oklahoma Christian on Dec. 18.
