TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler got their offense going right off the tipoff and never looked back as they held the lead for the entire contest on their way to a 17 point victory over UT Permian Basin.
 
The Patriots win on their home floor for the 27^th straight time, thanks in large part to the Patriots offensive and defensive efforts on Thursday night.
 
UT Tyler started the contest on fire, winning the opening tip and turning that into an 11-0 run in their favor that saw all four baskets made with an assist. Tina Machalova started fast, knocking down two three pointers and turning the second one of those into a four point play. Ella Bradley and Brooklyn Palmer each tacked on their own layups, and the Patriots were off and running.
 
That run extended out to a massive 24-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes, as seven different Patriots entered the scoring column, led by Machalova with seven and Gabby Elliott with five. As a team, the Patriots shot a blistering 60% in the frame and 57.1% from deep while holding the Falcons to 26.7% from the floor and 28.6% from beyond the arc.
 
The second quarter showcased the defense for the Patriots, and through the first four minutes they held the Falcons to just six points total while forcing them into four turnovers. The Falcons would close out the last six minutes of the quarter on a 9-8 run to cut the lead down to 12 points, but the Patriots continued to hold them at arms length.
 
The two defenses again struck to begin the second half, as through the opening 3:17 of the half both teams had combined for just six points. Just when the Patriots needed their offense the most, they responded, as both Palmer and Destini Whitehead buried a pair of three pointers just 38 seconds apart to run the lead up to 16 points.
 
In the final 3:15 of the period, the Patriots closed out with an 8-5 run that saw Montse Gutierrez drop in four points, including a last second jumper that would ultimately give the Patriots a 15 point lead heading into the final quarter.
 
A 5-0 run UT Permian Basin's way started the frame to cut the lead down to 10, but again the Patriots had the answer, this time in the form of another Palmer three pointer. Just 40 seconds later, it was Meagan Mendazona dropping in the clutch layup to move the lead back to 15.
 
UT Permian Basin would not go away however, as they went shot for shot with the Patriots and cut the lead back down to 10 with just 3:21 remaining in the game.
 
The Patriots would again have all of the right answers, as Whitehead, Gutierrez, and Frances King combined on a 9-2 run over the last 2:54 of the game to comfortably hold off the Falcons and ensure the big LSC win.
 
It was a balanced effort for the Patriots across the board, and Montse Gutierrez led the team with a season high 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting. She knocked down four triples while also grabbing four rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
 
Destini Whitehead and Tina Machalova scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, as they each knocked down two three pointers on the night.
 
Ella Bradley snagged a team high seven rebounds, while both Brooklyn Palmer and Machalova led the way with two steals each.
 
As a team, the Patriots held a 15-7 advantage in points off turnovers, a 20-11 advantage in assists, and made six more shots on one less attempt for the night.
 
The Patriots now look ahead to Saturday's matchup, as they welcome in Angelo State for the second of three straight home games. That contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start inside the Herrington Patriot Center.