Texas A&M-Kingsville vs. UT Tyler TAMUK: 14-8, 11-5 LSC  | UTT: 19-4, 14-2 LSC Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5 p.m. Herrington Patriot Center Tyler, Texas		SCHEDULE	ROSTER	STATS
Texas A&M International vs. UT Tyler TAMIU: 12-12, 5-11 LSC  | UTT: 19-4, 14-2 LSC Saturday, Feb. 11 | 1 p.m. Herrington Patriot Center Tyler, Texas		SCHEDULE	ROSTER	STATS

LAST WEEK
 
The Patriots suffered just their second setback of Lone Star Conference play and fourth overall loss on the season last Thursday night against St. Mary's. In that contest, the Patriots got out early on the run and looked poised to run away with it, but a second half stall combined with the Rattlers hot offense saw them take down UT Tyler by a score of 58-54.
 
On Saturday afternoon, the Patriots squared off with St. Edward's in a contest that saw both teams look tremendous on the offensive end of the floor. The Hilltoppers took a late lead, but UT Tyler got a defensive stop and Tina Machalova was able to knock down a three to tie the game. Another defensive stop followed, and Frances King was able to shake her defender and make a mid-range jumper to give the Patriots the win in the final seconds.
 
WHAT A SEASON SO FAR
 
The Patriots have totaled 19 wins so far this season, a mark that equals last season's win total. Another win this weekend would give them their most in the Division II era, and would be the most since the 2016-2017 season. In that 2016-2017 year, the Patriots advanced to the ASC Tournament semifinals and narrowly missed out on a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
If the Patriots get to 21 wins, they will have the most wins in their program since the 2015-2016 season. In that year, they finished at 30-2 and made it all the way to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament while claiming an ASC title.
 
GETTING STATISTICAL
 
For UT Tyler, they remain a tough defensive opponent and now have several individuals that are climbing the national rankings. On defense amongst all NCAA Division II opponents, the Patriots are 35^th in turnover margin, 35^th in steals per game, 41^st in scoring defense, and are 23^rd in field goal percentage defense.
 
On the individual side, Montse Gutierrez ranks 32^nd nationally in total steals and 56^th in steals per game. Lovisa Hevinder is 29^th in total three pointers, and is 48^th in three point percentage. Tina Machalova ranks 69^th in free throws made, and is 84^th in total free throw attempts.
 
THE SCOUTING REPORT
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville will head to the Herrington Patriot Center on Thursday night, and will carry a seven game winning streak that started back on January 14^th with their win over UT Tyler. The Javelinas sit at 14-8 on the season and are currently in third place in the LSC East Division.
 
The Javelinas are led on offense by Jayde Tschritter and Mia Rivers. The pair are averaging 10.1 and 10.0 points per game, respectively, while Rivers leads the team in steals and total assists.
 
Michael Madrid serves as head coach for the program and is now in his fourth season. Most recently, Madrid helped lead the program back to the LSC Tournament for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
 
Texas A&M International will head to the HPC on Saturday afternoon, and they are in the midst of a three game slide. The Dustdevils are an even 12-12 this season but are 5-11 in LSC play and fifth amongst divisional opponents.
 
Rai Brown leads the Dustdevils and the LSC in scoring, dropping in 19.1 points per game so far this year. Brown leads the team with 5.7 rebounds per game, and also totals the second most blocks and third most steals.
 
Nate Vogel leads the way for Texas A&M International and is in the midst of his fourth season. Vogel has led the Dustdevils to back to back LSC Tournaments, and last season made their first appearance in the quarterfinals.
 
NEXT UP
 
Following this weekend's critical slate, the Patriots will hit the road again to take on UT Permian Basin and RV Angelo State. That will be the final two game road trip of the season, as the Patriots will take on #4 Texas Woman's in back to back contests in the final week of the regular season.