TYLER, TEXAS – The Patriots sit at 1-0 in conference play and the Buffs sit at 3-0 as both teams will face off for just the second time ever at 2 p.m. Saturday.
SHAPING UP THE SEASON
UT Tyler is 8-2 on the season, sparking a tremendous turnaround from last season and proving to be a team that is in contention for spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Patriots sit at number nine in the latest D2SIDA rankings and have consistently been inside the top 10 thus far in the season.
SERIES HISTORY
These two teams have matched up just once before in their history. West Texas A&M came away with the victory back on Feb. 20, 2020. The final margin of victory was 76-54 and it was played inside the Herrington Patriot Center. This will be the first ever trip to the First United Bank Center for UT Tyler.
THE SCOUTING REPORT
West Texas A&M comes into tomorrow's matchup at 10-7 on the year and 3-0 in LSC play. They are fresh off of a big 10 point upset victory over number three ranked Texas A&M-Commerce. That was the first loss of the year for the Lions.
Leading the Buffs is junior Zamorye Roberts. She is averaging 14.9 points per contest to lead the team. She is also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest.
As a team, West Texas A&M is the number one team in all of Division II in total rebounds and fourth in the country in both free throw attempts and blocked shots.
Coaching the Buffs is Josh Prock. Prock is in his first season as head coach at West Texas A&M after spending the previous eight seasons at LSC foe Eastern New Mexico. Prock holds a career record of 219-137. Most recently, he coached Eastern New Mexico to their first three NCAA Tournament appearances in school history and won the LSC Championship in the 2016-2017 season.
AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE
Five teams remain unbeaten in LSC play through the first week of games. However, only three teams have been able to complete the three scheduled contests thus far as multiple games have been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
West Texas A&M is the only 3-0 team, followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville and Cameron who are both 2-0. UT Tyler and Texas Woman's are each 1-0 thus far.
ON THE HORIZON
Following Saturday's contest against West Texas A&M, the Patriots will return home for a two game homestand beginning on Thursday night.
That Thursday night game will be against Eastern New Mexico and will be featured as the Back to School Night game for UT Tyler. Anyone under 18 will receive free admission, and there will be t-shirts, cups, and rally towels given away throughout the game. That contest is scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m. on Jan. 13.
On Jan. 15 the Patriots will welcome the defending National Champions in Lubbock Christian for the fourth meeting between the two schools. That game will be the annual Blue Out game for UT Tyler and tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
