TYLER, TEXAS - #5/18 UT Tyler women's basketball fell by a score of 53-50 to #2/4 Lubbock Christian on Wednesday night inside the HPC after a hard fought battle between both teams.
 
The Patriots jumped out ahead with a big first quarter, scoring 19 points on 53% shooting and knocking down a trio of three pointers. Polina Latysheva lit the box score up for 10 points in the first frame alone, including scoring the first six points of the game for the Patriots after two straight three pointers.
 
In the second quarter, the Patriots continued to hold the Lady Chaps at bay, matching them nearly shot for shot. However, the Lady Chaps scored six straight points to close out the half, pulling to within four points at the halftime break. The Patriots played stout defense in the first half, holding the Lady Chaps to just 8-26 from the floor and just three made three pointers.
 
A 5-0 run from Lubbock Christian out of the break would give them their first lead of the contest before Ella Bradley put the Patriots back out in front. The Lady Chaps retook the lead with free throws, but Meagan Mendazona came through with a bigtime and-one conversion to help spark a 7-3 run to close out the period and give the Patriots a three point advantage heading into the final quarter.
 
Over the first five minutes of the final quarter, the Patriots rolled on a 9-5 run that saw them go a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to help build the lead up to seven points. KK Bass would knock in a layup to make it an eight point lead with 4:03 remaining, but that would be the final points of the night for the Patriots, as the Lady Chaps went on a 9-0 run to close out the game and take the win.
 
Polina Latysheva and Meagan Mendazona each scored 12 points, and Mendazona added 10 rebounds to score a double-double. Ella Bradley added in eight points, five reboudns, two assists, two steals, and a block.
 
The Patriots will now face off with Midwestern State on Friday to close out their opening LSC homestand.