TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball had it rolling in all facets of the game on Thursday night as they rolled over Texas A&M-Kingsville by 24 points.
 
The Patriots took the lead 26 seconds into the contest on a jumper by Frances King, and they never looked back in a wire to wire victory. That King jumper started a 14-3 run over the first 8:14 of the game. Five different Patriots got on the board in scoring, but the real key to the run was the defense. That defense held the Javelinas to just 1-8 in that stretch and forced an incredible seven turnovers.
 
After shooting 63.6% from the field and 66.7% from deep in the first quarter, the offensive onslaught continued with another 19 points as the Patriots expanded their lead to 14 points at the halftime break. That all started with a backbreaking possession to begin the quarter, as the Patriots snagged two offensive rebounds before Tina Machalova knocked in the three pointer. The Patriots locked it down on defense yet again, holding the Javelinas to 38.5% from the field and just 14.3% from beyond the arc.
 
The Patriots picked it up even further in the third quarter, outscoring the Javelinas 23-15 and raising the lead to 22 points. After a technical foul before the half started, Lovisa Hevinder stepped to the line to make two free throws before Destini Whitehead added in a turnaround jumper and then the layup to kick off a quick 6-0 run. That run expanded into a 15-7 run as Montse Gutierrez caught fire from beyond the arc to knock in nine points.
 
That would end up being the best quarter of the night for the Javelinas, as they shot 44.4% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc, but the Patriots shot 58.3% and 75% from three to expand the lead even further.
 
UT Tyler held a 22 point lead at the beginning of the final frame, and another Gutierrez three pointer moved it to 25. The Javelinas answered with their own triple, but Machalova and Ella Bradley each knocked down their own three pointers to expand the lead to 28 points with 6:21 to play in the contest.
 
The game would close out on an 8-7 run for the Javelinas, but they would go just 3-10 from the field as the staunch Patriots defense continued to flex their muscles and hold off the Texas A&M-Kingsville offense.
 
That Patriots defense held the Javelinas to their third lowest shooting percentage of the season from the field, and also their fifth lowest three point percentage of the year. They also forced the fourth most turnovers of the year for the Javelinas and came away with 10 total steals, the third most of the year.
 
Tina Machalova led all scorers with 15 points while snagging four rebounds and three steals. Destini Whitehead was right on her heels with 14 points, and she added in five rebounds and five assists. Montse Gutierrez was the final double digit scorer for UT Tyler with 12, and she added an assist, a steal, and a rebound.
 
Next up for UT Tyler will be Texas A&M International as they head into the Herrington Patriot Center on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start. That will also double as Senior Day for the Patriots as they will recognize Lauren Cortinas, Montse Gutierrez, and Destini Whitehead.