Match Info	Opponent Info
(RV) UT Tyler at St. Edward's UTT: 13-3, 7-0 LSC | SEU 5-7, 2-4 LSC Thursday, Jan. 11th | 5:30 p.m. Austin, Texas		ROSTER	SCHEDULE	STATS
(RV) UT Tyler at St. Mary's UTT: 13-3, 7-0 LSC | StMU: 2-10, 2-4 LSC Saturday, Jan. 13th | 1 p.m. San Antonio, Texas		ROSTER	SCHEDULE	STATS

LAST TIME OUT
 
Last week the Patriots emerged from action inside the HPC with a 2-0 record despite a nailbiter against Oklahoma Christian. The Eagles rallied from down four points with 11 seconds left to tie the game, but a foul with less than two seconds left on the clock sent the Patriots to the line to take the win. Against UAFS, the Patriots lit the nets up to the tune of 15 made three pointers, their most in the Division II era of the program on their way to a solid 10 point win and a 7-0 start to LSC play.
 
WHAT COACH ALVIDREZ IS SAYING
 
On the successful last month – "We had seven days off for Christmas and our girls came back and worked hard and pulled off a big win over Texas Woman's. It was a great win, and as we've been talking about, conference wins are hard. Our girls were about to get Texas Woman's, Oklahoma Christian in dramatic fashion, and then UAFS."
 
On the key to the team clicking – "I think that break was helpful. It allows you to go back and reflect and as a coaching staff we could go back and see what we could do better. We still have a high ceiling, but it's about our daily habits and being consistent. I'm really happy with how we're playing, our leadership, and hopefully we can keep striding forward."
 
On the big shooting performance against UAFS – "A lot of the girls are spending more time in the gym, but I think it was mainly confidence. I feel a lot better when we shoot it now and there's no hesitation when they shoot it, and that goes a long way."
 
NATIONAL ATTENTION
 
For the second consecutive week, the Patriots remain in the Receiving Votes category of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll after their 2-0 weekend in LSC play. They are joined in the top 25 by LSC opponents Texas Woman's (#16), and Texas A&M International (#21).
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE UPDATE
 
After their 2-0 weekend, the Patriots are 7-0 in LSC play and remain the only undefeated team in the Lone Star Conference. They are also 3-0 in divisional play, one of five teams that are undefeated in divisional play. Texas Woman's sits at 6-1, while UT Permian Basin, Lubbock Christian, and Angelo State each are 5-1 in LSC play.
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• UT Tyler finished the 2022-2023 year at 27-8 and 18-4 in LSC play.
• The program finished a perfect 11-0 on their home floor inside the Herrington Patriot Center. On the road the team was 11-5 and they went 5-3 on neutral site courts.
• The Patriots return nearly every contributor from last season's teams, including three All-LSC players and three NCAA All-South Central Region Tournament team members.
• UT Tyler is now 13-3 on the season and 7-0 in LSC play. The Patriots are also 8-0 on their home floor this season, extending their streak now to 22 straight home wins.
• That 22 game home win streak ranks as the second longest active home winning streak in Division II, trailing only Catawba at 26 games.
• The Patriots are in the midst of an 11 game winning streak, which is tied for the second longest winning streak in all of NCAA Division II.
• Under head coach Rebecca Alvidrez, the Patriots now hold a record of 5-2 against opponents associated with the WBCA Top 25 Poll, and a record of 2-1 against teams ranked inside the top five.
• As a team, the Patriots rank inside the top 30 in scoring defense (4^th, 52.6), scoring margin (9^th, 18.4), field goal percentage defense (12^th, 33.9%), field goal percentage (23^rd, 45.1%), and free throw percentage (28^th, 76.2%). Additionally, the Patriots rank 31^st in turnover margin at 4.69 and 34^th in steals per game at 11.7.
• Tina Machalova continues to lead the Patriots in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game on 49% shooting from the field. She is also third on the team in rebounds and assists.

 
HILLTOPPERS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• St. Edward's sits at 5-7 on the season and 2-4 in LSC play as the schedule turns over to 2024. They currently hold LSC wins over Eastern New Mexico and Cameron, but are on a two game losing streak after losses to Texas A&M International and Texas A&M-Kingsville last weekend.
• As a team, the Hilltoppers are averaging 68.8 points per game on 42.5% shooting. They are holding opponents to 61.2 points per game on 36.9% shooting.
• They rank first in the LSC in rebound margin at 8.0, and second in the LSC in field goal percentage defense, rebounds per game, and free throw attempts per game.
• They also have three different players averaging double figures, led by Janiah Perkins who is up to 14.3 points per game on 44% shooting. Jayda Ruffus-Milner averages 10.8 points per game and leads the team in rebounding at 6.2 per game while also being second in steals.
• At the helm of the program is J.J. Riehl, who is in her 12^th season with the team. She holds an all-time record of 161-154, all of which with the Hilltoppers.

 
RATTLERS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• St. Mary's holds a record of 2-10 on the year and 2-4 in LSC play. They picked up wins over Eastern New Mexico and Midwestern State but stand at a five game losing streak after falling to Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International last weekend.
• The Rattlers are averaging 59 points per game on the year on 37.6% shooting and 24.5% from beyond the arc. Their opponents are averaging 64.9 points per game on 39.7% shooting and 26.8% from deep.
• As a team, they rank first in the LSC in three point percentage defense at 26.8%, fifth in three point attempts per game, and sixth in blocks per game at 2.7.
• Individually, Taylor Haggan leads the way in scoring at 15.4 points per game on 51% shooting. She is also the teams leading rebounder at 7.2 per game, and is tied for the team lead in blocks.
• The team is led by Valerie Huizar, who is in her second season with the program. She holds a record of 10-30 with the Rattlers and a career record of 51-51 in her four total seasons.