TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler will host Eastern New Mexico on Thursday and #4 Lubbock Christian on Saturday for a pivotal all-LSC homestand.
 
Thursday's games will serve as "Back to School Night" for the Patriots, with free admission offered to anyone 18 or under and prizes and giveaways taking place throughout the evening. Altra Federal Credit Union will be raffling off four chances to compete in halftime games for both the men's and women's contests throughout the evening.
 
UT Tyler basketball will also be offering a free taco courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop to the first 200 fans in attendance of Saturday's game against #4 Lubbock Christian. Each fan's free taco will be available at a designated table set up on the North End of the Herrington Patriot Center.
 
DEFENDING THEIR HOME FLOOR
 
UT Tyler has done a tremendous job on their home floor this season. They have put up an incredible record of 5-1, with their only loss coming all the way back in the second game of the season against Henderson State on Nov. 20. The average margin of victory in those games has been 12 points, and the Patriots are averaging 75 points in each win.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The Patriots have faced off against Eastern New Mexico just one time since UT Tyler joined the LSC. That game ended up as a loss for the Patriots back on Feb. 22, 2020. That game also took place in the Herrington Patriot Center.
 
This is the fourth time that UT Tyler has played against #4 Lubbock Christian and all four times they will have faced off inside the Herrington Patriot Center. The defending National Champion Chaps hold a 3-0 record against the Patriots, with the most recent meeting coming on Jan. 3, 2021.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
Eastern New Mexico is led by redshirt sophomore Natalie Stice and graduate student Iyanna McCurdy. Stice is averaging 12.7 points per game and McCurdy averages 10.4 points. Stice and McCurdy average 6.2 and 5.4 rebounds per game, respectively.
 
The Greyhounds are a team that do not get into foul trouble and do not turn the ball over. They are second in the LSC in fewest total fouls and fewest total turnovers at 158 and 179, respectively.
 
The Greyhounds are led by first year head coach Meghan De los Reyes. De los Reyes previously spent three seasons at California State University-Chico where she served as an assistant coach.
 
#4 Lubbock Christian is led on the floor by graduate students Allie Schulte and Ashton Duncan. Schulte is averaging 12.3 points per game on 47.6% shooting and tacking on 3.5 assists per game. Duncan sits at 11.3 points per game on 37.9% shooting and adds in 2.7 rebounds per contest.
 
It is no secret that the #4 Chaps are a successful program. This season they lead the LSC in assist to turnover ratio, free throw percentage, and fewest turnovers per game. They are also first in scoring defense, allowing just 50.9 points per game to opposing teams.
 
Coaching #4 Lubbock Christian is Steve Gomez. He is in his 18^th season with the program and has compiled an incredible record of 445-113. Gomez has been at the helm for all three of their national championships, with all three coming in the last six seasons.
 
AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
 
Following the last week of play in the LSC, there are just four unbeaten teams remaining in conference play. West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Woman's, and Cameron all have unblemished records to this point. #4 Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State each sit at 2-1, while Texas A&M International and UT Tyler have 1-1 records.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following the two game homestand this week for the Patriots, they will head out on a two game road trip beginning with another top 10 matchup. This time UT Tyler will head to Commerce, Texas to take on #6 Texas A&M-Commerce. That game is scheduled for Jan. 18 and a 5:30 p.m. start.
 
Following that game, the Patriots will make the 893 mile drive to Silver City, New Mexico to battle it out with Western New Mexico. That game with the Mustangs is scheduled for Jan. 22 and a 3 p.m. central time tipoff.