TYLER, TEXAS - #7 UT Tyler Women's Basketball opened up the offense in style in their 2023-2024 home opener as they posted a program record 115 points in a 115-25 win over Dallas Christian.
 
In the big win, the Patriots also broke the program record for field goals made (50), total assists (34), and total steals (25).
 
The Patriots took just 17 seconds to take the lead, as Tina Machalova knocked down the three point jumper from a Meagan Mendazona assist. That shot sparked a 21-0 run over the first 6:05 of the contest as Brooklyn Palmer had 11 points in that run along with contributions from Lovisa Hevinder, Machalova, and Mendazona.
 
After one quarter, the Patriots held a 32-5 lead as they shot 52.2% in the opening frame while going 4-for-10 from beyond the arc.
 
In the second frame, it was all Patriots yet again as they held the Lady Crusaders to just 7 points while scoring 26 of their own and shooting an even higher 55.6% from the floor. Seven different Patriots entered the point scoring category in the quarter, bookmarked by Mariah Neal's six points as she buried a pair of triples, including one just before the halftime buzzer.
 
That first half offense continued into the second half of play, as the Patriots again kept their shooting hot to the tune of 16-for-22 in the quarter. That effort was sparked by big defense, as the Patriots picked up six steals in the third quarter alone on their way to holding Dallas Christian to just five points.
 
In the final 10 minute frame, the Patriots again stayed hot on the floor, shooting an even 60% while continuing to hold off the Lady Crusaders on the defensive end. The Patriots picked up four final steals and assisted on six of those 12 made shots to cap off the blowout win.
 
Each Patriot that entered the game scored at least five points, with six players going for double figures. They were all led by Brooklyn Palmer, who dropped in 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting and 2-for-4 from deep.
 
Gabby Elliott snagged a team high 10 rebounds, while Hevinder dished out a team high six assists and Neal had a team high six steals.
 
Next up for #7 UT Tyler will be a week off, as they take on Ouachita Baptist inside the Herrington Patriot Center on November 25^th.