ALPINE, TEXAS – UT Tyler fell 62-59 to Metro State in a game that never reached a five-point differential for the entirety of the contest.

The Patriots held a 33-32 advantage at the halftime break, but couldn't overcome 18 team turnovers that resulted in 19 points for Metro State. The Patriots held their final advantage at 50-49 with 6:20 left, stayed within a two-possession deficit for the final six minutes of play, but couldn't find the plays down the stretch to take the lead back over.

Three different Patriots reached double-digit scoring figures in the game in Dontrell Hewlett, Juan Pablo Camargo and Sam Phipps. Hewlett went for a team high-14 points, Camergo chipped in 13 and Phipps went for 11.

UT Tyler shot 42.0 percent (21-for-50) from the field and 29.4 percent (5-for-17) from beyond three-point range as a team. The Patriots limited Metro State to 32.0 percent (16-for-50) from the field, but forced Metro State to just eight turnovers for the game.

The Roadrunners also benefited from 29 free throw attempts in the contest in which they converted into 23 points.

Camargo and Nikolas Gustavson led the team with six rebounds. Guard Mate Kapanadze led the effort with four assists.

UT Tyler will return home this weekend for the 2024 South Central Region Challenge presented by Sqwincher. That tournament will pit UT Tyler against #8 Colorado School of Mines on Friday and Regis on Saturday.