SILVER CITY, N.M. – UT Tyler forced 20 or more turnovers on the defensive side of the floor for a third straight game and defended their way to a 48-41 win over Western New Mexico on Saturday afternoon.
 
Guards Destini Whitehead and Frances King combined to score 25 of the Patriot's 48 points for the afternoon to compliment what was a sound defensive effort throughout the 40 minutes of play. The Patriots limited Western New Mexico to just 14 made baskets on a 31.8 percent (14-of-44) output from the field and didn't allow double digit point totals in either of the middle periods.
 
UT Tyler took control with a 14-10 run in the opening quarter, and then found the offense when they needed it in the fourth after two low scoring second and third frames for both teams. In the end, UT Tyler led for over 35 minutes of the game and padded a 12-point lead with just over five minutes left in the contest to move to 9-2 on the year and 4-0 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Whitehead went for 15 points to lead all scorers with a 6-for-17 (35.3) performance from the floor. King finished the afternoon with 10 points and five rebounds.
 
The Patriots scored just 15 points in the second and third quarters combined, but stayed connected defensively despite the offensive struggles to limit Western New Mexico to just 14 points over the same timeframe. A 21-18 halftime total crawled to a 30-24 margin at the end of three quarters before both offenses finally found a spark in the fourth quarter.
 
UT Tyler made 7-of-14 shots over the final 10 minutes of play after going just 6-for-27 in the second and third quarters combined to build their largest lead at 39-27 with 5:01 remaining. The Patriots needed that fourth quarter offense as Western New Mexico put forth their best offensive period as well, but couldn't overcome their 23 turnovers for the contest.
 
Saturday marks the third straight outing in which UT Tyler has forced 20 more turnovers and extends the Patriot win streak to four straight, all four of which have come in Lone Star Conference play. UT Tyler sits 9-2 on the year, and 4-0 in LSC play heading into the Christmas break.
 
Forward Ella Bradley led the Patriots with six rebounds, while King, Lovisa Hevinder and Victoria Ikenasio all totaled five boards.
 
UT Tyler finished the day 19-for-54 (35.2 percent) from the field, and 5-of-20 (25.0) from beyond the three-point line.
 
The Patriots will return to action on Dec. 30^th against Oklahoma Christian on the road at 5:30 p.m.