TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler was unable to overcome a slow start offensively to fall 76-63 in their home opener on Saturday afternoon against Northeastern State.
The Patriots went just 8-for-29 (27.5 percent) from the field in the first half and fell behind 40-23 after 20 minutes of action. Northeastern State on the otherhand connected on 15-of-28 (53.5 percent) from the field and 9-of-16 (56.2 percent) from beyond the three-point line.
UT Tyler once again settled into a better rhythm offensively in the second half, out-scoring the Riverhawks by a 40-36 margin, but couldn't overcome the slow offensive first half of basketball to threaten the lead in the final half.
Guard
Jonathan Jackson led the Patriots with 12 points while
Khalik Gardner,
Bryce Roberts and
John Barbee all added 10 points.
Northeastern State opened the contest with an 11-3 advantage through the first five minutes of play and held the lead through the entirety of the first half. UT Tyler narrowed the deficit to just three at 19-16 with 8:33 remaining in the half, but a trio of made three-point baskets for the Riverhawks in the final two minutes established a 40-23 advantage at the halftime break.
UT Tyler cut a 25-point lead down to 12 points at 75-63 with 1:02 left and ultimately won the second half of play by a 40-36 margin.
Northeastern State shot the ball at a high level throughout the game, finishing the afternoon 29-of-53 (54.7 percent) from the field and 12-for-25 (48.0 percent) from beyond the three-point line.
UT Tyler went 24-for-65 (36.9 percent) from the field for the contest, but connected on 16-of-36 (44.4 percent) of their shots in the second half for a much improved effort in the final 20 minutes of play.
UT Tyler out-rebounded the Riverhawks by a 39-to-34 margin, including 15 offensive boards. Jackson led the Patriots with seven rebounds, while Gardner and
Alec Zambie each finished the day with six boards.
The Patriots will remain on their home court for two more games next week in Monday night action at 7 p.m. against Dallas Christian College and a Wednesday evening tilt with Arkansas Tech at 7 p.m.
