Box Score GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO – UT Tyler women's basketball kept it going on the defensive side of the ball and shot 46% from the field for the game to earn a 71-47 victory over Puerto Rico-Bayamon.
 
A trio of Patriots entered double figures on the day as Montse Gutierrez led the team for the second consecutive contest. Gutierrez posted 16 points and knocked down a trio of triples while also posting four rebounds and three steals.
 
Destini Whitehead followed closely behind with 15 of her own on an efficient 3-4 shooting and going a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Whitehead would also tie for a team high with four steals and added in two rebounds.
 
Tina Machalova added 13 points of her own after going 3-7 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. Machalova also chipped in three rebounds and and three assists.
 
It took five seconds for the Patriots to get on the board and they never looked back as UT Tyler would outscore the Cowgirls 23-11 in the first quarter. In that quarter alone, the Patriots shot 56% from the floor and 57% from beyond the arc to take the big lead.
 
The Patriots defense was arguably the star of the day as they held the Cowgirls in check for a majority of the game. Puerto Rico-Bayamon was held to just 33% from the field and made only one of the 17 three point attempts in the contest. That stifling defense forced the Cowgirls into 23 turnovers as the Patriots snagged 16 steals.
 
Frances King led the Patriots with eight assists on the contest.
 
Lovisa Hevinder cashed in three triples of her own while also leading the team with four steals.
 
Next up for UT Tyler will be their third and final game in Puerto Rico as they take on Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras tomorrow at 11 a.m. central time. Following that contest, the Patriots will return stateside for a pair of contests next week against Southern Arkansas and Henderson State.