TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots women's basketball program will battle it out with Western New Mexico on Saturday at 3 p.m. in a bid to go two games above .500 in conference play for the first time this season.
 
THE BIG WIN
 
Head coach Rebecca Alvidrez and the Patriots grabbed their defining win on Tuesday evening, knocking off #4 Texas A&M-Commerce by a score of 80-67. It was a true dominating effort from UT Tyler, as they never trailed in the game and had the lead for all but 50 seconds of the 40 minute contest. Both sides of the ball came to play, as the Patriots shot 58.3% from the field and held the Lions to just 33.9% shooting.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
UT Tyler and Western New Mexico have faced off just once since the Patriots joined the Lone Star Conference. That game came back on Jan. 25, 2020 and the Mustangs came away with the win. That game also took place in Silver City, New Mexico.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
As a team, the Mustangs are first in the LSC in blocked shots per game, second in field goal percentage defense, and second in three point field goal defense. They block five shots per game and allow opponents to shoot 35.5% from the floor and 24% from deep.
 
Junior forward Zyan Smith is the player to watch for the Mustangs. Smith is averaging 9.9 points per game thus far into the season. She brings down an average of 5.8 rebounds per contest and has added in 15 steals and nine blocks so far this season.
 
Josh Pace is the head coach of the Mustangs and is in his second season. He has posted a 5-10 record thus far into his tenure after state COVID-19 mandates shortened the season significantly last year for the Mustangs. Previously, Pace was an assistant at Pepperdine for their women's basketball program.
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE UPDATE
 
Four teams have played all six scheduled games so far, with many games being postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Three teams remain undefeated, as Texas A&M-Kingsville is the only team to reach the 5-0 mark so far. Cameron and West Texas A&M each sit at 4-0 and just behind the Javelinas.
Texas Woman's has a 3-1 record so far and they are closely followed by Lubbock Christian who sits at 4-2. Angelo State has a 2-1 record and sits just behind the Chaps. Texas A&M-Commerce, UT Tyler, and Midwestern State each sit at 3-2 in conference play.
 
ON THE HORIZON
 
Following the matchup against the Mustangs, the Patriots will return home for a three game homestand against Texas A&M International, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Texas Woman's.
 
The game against the Dustdevils is scheduled for Jan. 27 and tipoff will be at 5 p.m. That will be just the second time Texas A&M International has made the trip to Tyler.
 
On Jan. 29, the Patriots will host the Javelinas for just the second time in series history as well. That game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
 
On Jan. 31, the Patriots will host Texas Woman's for the first time in series history. This game is a rescheduled game that was formerly scheduled back on New Year's Eve but had to be postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.