OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – Oklahoma Christian capitalized on a strong rebounding effort to hold off UT Tyler in a 77-67 loss for the Patriots on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Eagles dominated on the glass with a 39-to-21 edge in rebounds and turned 11 offensive boards into 10 critical second-chance points. The Patriots went 11-for-22 (50 percent) from beyond the three-point line and were led offensively by junior Bryce Roberts, who finished with 15 points on the afternoon.
 
UT Tyler connected on each of their first three attempts from three-point range to lead 11-5 less than five minutes into the contest. Oklahoma Christian responded and overtook a lead that they would maintain for the rest of the contest at the 10:40 mark of the first half.
 
A 31-24 halftime edge for the Eagles was drawn down to a one-possession game at 37-35 with 14:57 remaining. A three-pointer by freshman Jesse Fuller brought the difference even closer at 39-38, but the Patriots never managed to tie the game.
 
A three-point game at 53-50 with 6:48 remaining quickly turned into a double-digit advantage for Oklahoma Christian with seven-straight points for the Eagles. UT Tyler never managed to get the game back closer to seven points from then on.
 
UT Tyler finished the afternoon 23-for-55 (41.8 percent) from the field. Alec Zambie and Juan Pablo Camargo each finished the night with 10 points.
 
The Patriots will return home next weekend for a homestand against St. Mary's and St. Edward's.