TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball moved to 3-0 in Lone Star Conference play after taking down Eastern New Mexico 76-48 in a dominant showing inside the Herrington Patriot Center.
 
The offense continues to be a major factor for the Patriots as they shot a blistering 53.1% from the floor and an effective 33.3% from beyond the arc in the 28 point win.
 
On defense, the Patriots held the Greyhounds to just 33.3% from the floor, marking the ninth time in 10 games that the Patriots held their opponent under 40%. They also held them to just 28.6% from beyond the arc in a dominant display on both ends of the game.
 
That hot offense took just over a minute to get started as Tina Machalova dropped in the layup to give the Patriots a lead they would never relinquish. Over the first quarter of play, the Patriots shot 6-8 from the field and made all eight free throws on their way to a 21-11 lead. Ella Bradley scored 10 points in the quarter while Lovisa Hevinder added in seven to kickstart a big night.
 
Eastern New Mexico dropped in a triple to cut the lead down to seven to open up the second quarter, but a hot streak from Mariah Neal put the Patriots well out in front through the first half. Neal by herself went on a 7-0 run after knocking down the pullup jumper, getting the steal and a three pointer, and another steal and a layup plus the foul to put the Patriots back up double digits. That spurt of offense started a 15-0 run over 5:06 of game time in the second frame and eventually led to a 44-26 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter saw the Patriots defense ramp up to the level of their offense, as they forced the Greyhounds into eight turnovers and added in five steals. They held Eastern New Mexico to just 16.7% in the quarter and only one made field goal while outscoring them 23-7. In that quarter, Hevinder added in 11 more points as she went 3-for-5 in the frame while being a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.
 
Over the final 10 minutes of action, Eastern New Mexico outscored the Patriots 15-9, but the game was well in hand with a 34 point advantage in the Patriots favor to begin the frame. Enisa Kamerolli and Polina Latysheva each dropped in triples in the frame, while Sara Berglund was a perfect 2-for-2 from the line.
 
Lovisa Hevinder led all scorers with 25 points on the night as she finished 7-for-12 overall and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc while going 8-for-8 from the line. She was joined in double figures by Mariah Neal (16) and Ella Bradley (14).
 
Hevinder also grabbed a team high seven rebounds and dished a team high four assists in the contest. Neal also stuffed the stat sheet as she finished 6-for-10 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the line while grabbing three rebounds and finishing with a team high five steals.
 
Next up for the Patriots will be a matchup with Western New Mexico inside the Herrington Patriot Center on Saturday afternoon. That game will tip off at 1 p.m. and is also serving as First Responder's Appreciation Day. All first responder's will get in free of charge, as well as those who bring in a new unwrapped toy as part of the UT Tyler Police Department toy drive benefitting the Children's Advocacy Center of Smith County.