DENTON, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball will continue their dance in the NCAA Tournament as they took down #2 seed Colorado Mesa by a score of 68-56 to book their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen.
On the day, the Patriots offense connected for 45% from the floor and held the Mavericks to just 30% from the floor and only 20% from beyond the arc.
Through the early going in the first quarter, Colorado Mesa put together a strong 9-4 start through the first 3:57.
Meagan Mendazona dropped in a key and-one, and
Frances King buried a jumper to cut the lead down to two. However, the Mavericks closed out the quarter on a 5-2 run, holding a 16-11 lead through the first period.
In the second quarter, the Patriots ramped it up on both ends of the floor as they shot 42.9% from the floor and 44% from deep while holding the Mavericks to just 23.5% from the fllor and 14% from deep.
After a 5-0 run to start the quarter from the Mavericks, the Patriots rolled on their way to an 18-4 run to close out the half, kickstarted by Mendazona. She scored a jumper and two free throws, and
Tina Machalova scored five points around a huge triple from
Mariah Neal that cut the lead down to one.
Machalova buried another three pointer to give the Patriots the lead, and Neal again found the net with a three pointer on the final made shot of the half to put the Patriots up four at the break.
Coming out of the half, the Mavericks shot free throws due to an intentional foul at the end of the first half, but they only converted one of two. From there the Patriots defense showed out, as they didn't allow another Mavericks point until the 5:11 mark. A 6-0 run from Colorado Mesa found its way, but layups from Neal and Mendazona calmed the tide. Another layup from King at the 1:44 mark kept the Patriots up four, before another Neal made three pointer and a free throw from
Brooklyn Palmer put the Patriots ahead by five heading into the final period of play.
Over the first few minutes, the Patriots offense stepped into high gear, as the Patriots didn't miss a field goal attempt over the first 5:59 of the quarter. That offensive effort spurred on a 20-13 run from the Patriots that saw four points from Mendazona, King, and
Ella Bradley, five points from Palmer, and a critical and-one from Machalova to keep the lead in double digits.
From the 4:28 mark onwards, the Patriots defense held the Mavericks without a point until they finally hit a three pointer with 22 seconds left. The Patriots at that point made their free throws and maintained their lead, booking a 12 point victory and their spot in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
The Patrriots held a 19-8 advantage in points off turnovers, a 26-19 advantage in bench points, 32-20 edge in points in the paint, and an 11-2 steals lead.
For the game,
Meagan Mendazona led all scorers with 17 points on an efficient 7-for-9 from the field. She chipped in three rebounds and an assist.
Mariah Neal scorched the net for four three pointers on her way to 14 points, while
Tina Machalova scored 13 with a pair of triples and three rebounds.
Montse Gutierrez led the team with six rebounds, and
Ella Bradley led the team with six assists and five steals on the night.
King filled out the box score, scoring eight points, grabbing three rebounds, dishing three assists, and also grabbing two steals.
Next up for UT Tyler will be the NCAA South Central Regional Championship Game, taking place on Monday night at 7 p.m. That game will feature the winner of #1 seed Texas Woman's and #5 seed Adams State.
