LUBBOCK, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball put forth a solid effort on the opening day of their 2022-2023 season as they take down CSU Pueblo by a score of 63-48.
It might be a new season, but that same stifling and tight defense remains the same as the Patriots held the Thunderwolves to just 31% from the field and only 29% from beyond the arc. UT Tyler created 15 turnovers on the day and scored 15 points from those turnovers.
Both teams struggled a bit out of the gate as they looked to create some traction in the new season, but UT Tyler snatched the early lead and never looked back after running out to an 11-2 lead over the first six minutes.
That lead would stretch out to 19-9 at the end of the first period with the Patriots grabbing three steals and Destini Whitehead leading the way with eight points.
The strong Patriots defense held the Thunderwolves to just one point for the first 4:40 of the second quarter and allowed the lead to climb out to 13. Frances King capped off a strong quarter with a shot clock beating jumper that banked home to give UT Tyler a 37-19 lead at the end of the first half.
The big lead would prove crucial for UT Tyler as CSU Pueblo attempted to climb themselves back into the contest in the third quarter. A 9-2 run right in the middle of the third cut the lead back down to 13, but Whitehead and Tina Machalova settled down the Patriots offense with a pair of baskets and halt the momentum.
A quick 5-0 run from the Thunderwolves cut the lead to 11, but the Patriots answered with a layup from Ella Bradley and a jumper from King. A three pointer would fall for CSU Pueblo at the 5:25 mark of the fourth quarter, but that would be just about it as the Patriots allowed just two more points for the remainder of the contest as they played out the clock.
Points in the paint played a major role for the Patriots as they outscored the Thunderwolves by a 28-8 margin in that department. They also outrebounded CSU Pueblo 38-30 and posted 14 assists.
Tina Machalova and Destini Whitehead led all scorers with 14 points, and Frances King added 12 and Montse Gutierrez chipped in 10.
King posted a game-high 10 rebounds to post her first double-double in a Patriots uniform in her first opportunity.
Lovisa Hevinder snagged a team-high three steals while Whitehead and Machalova each had two.
The Patriots will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on Colorado Christian to close out their first weekend of action in the 2022-2023 season.
