CANYON, TEXAS – #24 UT Tyler women's basketball fell on the road against West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon to snap their 16 game winning streak and pick up their first LSC loss of the season.
 
The Patriots struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the second half while West Texas A&M hit all the right buttons on their way to a scorching 61.5% second half shooting percentage in the big win.
 
It was the Patriots rolling out to start the first quarter hot and heavy, going on a 12-2 run in the early going to pick up a dominant early lead. Brooklyn Palmer was the catalyst in that early run, scoring nine of the Patriots first 15 points behind an and-one layup and a pair of triples.
 
That big run put the Patriots up 17-5, but the Lady Buffs began to dig back in with a 10-4 run to close out the quarter to trail 21-15.
 
In the second quarter, the engines began to turn in the Lady Buffs favor, as they quickly ran out on a 7-0 run to begin the second frame to take the lead. The two teams would trade baskets back and forth before Montse Gutierrez drilled three straight three pointers to put the Patriots back up seven with 2:46 left in the first half.
 
Over those last few minutes however, the Lady Buffs battled back with their own 6-2 run to close out the half down just three points.
 
Tina Machalova and Palmer combined for the first eight points of the second half for the Patriots, but West Texas A&M again had the clutch answers as they scored seven points in response to stay within four points. The Machalova jumper at the 7:45 mark of the third quarter would be the last made jump shot of the period for the Patriots as their offense went ice cold. The Lady Buffs would take advantage, going on a 14-1 run over those final seven minutes and change to take a six point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
In the fourth and final quarter, both teams struggled in the early going as both defenses ramped up the pressure. The Lady Buffs would have the lone made shot over the first three minutes before the Patriots broke through with a quick 4-0 run to get within five.
 
That run seemed to spark the West Texas A&M offense yet again, as they rattled off a 7-0 run in response to go back up double digits and attempt to put the game out of reach.
 
Two free throws from Gabby Elliott brought the deficit back down to 10, but the Lady Buffs would allow just one UT Tyler made field goal the rest of the way to pick up the 73-54 win.
 
Brooklyn Palmer led the Patriots with 21 points in the contest on 7-for-10 shooting and four three pointers while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
 
Montse Gutierrez would be the other Patriot in double figures, scoring 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting and making three three pointers. She also grabbed eight rebounds, sharing that team-high mark with Tina Machalova.
 
The #24 ranked Patriots will get a quick chance to bounce back as they continue their road trip and take on UAFS and Oklahoma Christian. The contest against UAFS is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening and the game against Oklahoma Christian is scheduled for next Saturday at 1 p.m.