TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler scored 28 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to come charging back after a 29-18 halftime deficit in a 69-62 loss to St. Edward's on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Patriots knocked down 10 of their first 14 attempts from the field, and eclipsed their first half scoring total of 18 less than eight minutes into the second half of action. UT Tyler would go on to post 44 second half points, took a 55-53 lead with 6:22 remaining in the ball game, but ultimately couldn't close out the Hilltoppers in the final five minutes of action.
 
Guard Bryce Roberts finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while sophomore John Barbee filled up the stat sheet once again for the Patriots with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists. Junior Alex Zambie added 13 points and five rebounds to the effort as well.
 
UT Tyler made just eight field goals in the first half of action, going 8-for-27 (29.6 percent) as a team, and found themselves behind at the halftime break by a 29-18 margin. St. Edward's leaned on the three-point shot all afternoon, especially in a first half in which they connected on more three-point shots than two-point shots.
 
The Hilltoppers went 6-for-14 (42.8 percent) from beyond the three-point line in the first 20 minutes of play, and 9-for-28 (32.1 percent) from the field.
 
UT Tyler opened the second half on a 28-18 run to cut the double-digit Hilltopper advantage to just one at 47-46 with 10:07 remaining. Roberts scored eight points in those first 10 minutes of action to help will the Patriots back into the ballgame after their first half offensive struggles.
 
St. Edward's extended the lead back out to five points over the next minutes of play, but a 7-1 run for the Patriots earned the first lead of the ball game for UT Tyler at 55-53. The Hilltoppers surrendered the lead for less than a minute and quickly regained the advantage with seven unanswered points.
 
Barbee cut the deficit to a single possession for the final time with a driving layup that made it 60-57 with 3:28 to play. UT Tyler made just two baskets from the field in the final five minutes of play to allow the Hilltoppers to escape with a 69-62 victory.
 
UT Tyler finished the second half of play 16-for-29 (55.1 percent) from the field and outscored the Hilltoppers by a 44-to-40 margin. St. Edward's finished the afternoon 11-for-25 (44.0 percent) from beyond the three-point arc and connected on 18-of-23 (78.3 percent) from the free-throw line.
 
The Patriots will travel to Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International next weekend.