LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – UT Tyler women's basketball put together a late rally that saw the offense kick into high gear, but ultimately could not get the stops down the stretch as they fell 57-52 to MSU Billings on Thursday.
Both teams played a near identical first quarter, as the Yellowjackets led 13-11 after the first frame. The Patriots held them to just 26.7% from the floor in the period and 1-for-6 from deep, but their offense sputtered as the Patriots shot 23.1% from the floor.
The defensive battle continued into the second quarter, but the Yellowjackets improved to 31% shooting while the Patriots shot just 1-for-10 in the quarter to fall behind 24-16 at the halftime break.
In the opening minutes of the third quarter, both teams would trade buckets back and forth, but MSU Billings built an 11 point lead with 5:39 remaining.
Meagan Mendazona knocked down a tough turnaround jumper at the 5:14 mark, sparking a 13-6 run to close out the quarter.
Ella Bradley scored seven points of the 13 point run by herself, knocking down her second three pointer of the contest.
That big run led to a four point lead for the Yellowjackets heading into the fourth period, and
Enisa Kamerolli started the quarter with a jumper made to cut the lead to two. However, the Yellowjackets bounced back with an 8-0 run to earn a 10 point lead with 7:45 remaining.
A big 9-2 run from the Patriots that saw yet another three pointer from Bradley and layups from
Mariah Neal and
Polina Latysheva cut the lead to three, but again MSU Billings knocked in a pair of three pointers to make it a nine point game with 3:26 left.
Down the closing stretch,
Ella Bradley drilled another pair of three pointers while Neal dropped in another layup as the Patriots cut the lead to just three with 30 seconds left. However, the Patriots were unable to get any closer as they would fall 57-52.
Ella Bradley scored a career high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting and went a perfect 5-for-5 from three, another career-best mark.
Meagan Mendazona scored 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting and also added a three pointer.
UT Tyler will look to regroup as they next take on #8/RV Embry-Riddle on Friday morning to round out the Holiday Hoops Classic at South Point Arena.
