KINGSVILLE, TEXAS – #10/13 UT Tyler women's basketball moved to 15-2 overall and 10-1 in LSC play as they took down Texas A&M-Kingsville in a tight fought battle on Saturday afternoon.
 
Tianna Knighton put together a new career-high in points on Thursday against Texas A&M International, but waited just two days to break that mark as she scored 24 points against the Javelinas. She went 9-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc while adding in four rebounds, two assists, and a perfect 2-for-2 mark from the free throw line to lead all scorers in the game.
 
The two teams would battle tightly throughout the contest, including a first quarter that saw the Patriots hold a slim 12-11 lead. Knighton dropped in two three pointers in the quarter while the Patriots offense shot 30.8% from the field. The Javelinas stayed close behind a 4-for-12 effort that also included two three pointers.
 
The Javelinas punched first in the second frame, twice taking the lead over the opening four minutes. A 6-0 run gave them a 20-16 lead with 5:10 remaining in the half, but Polina Latysheva dropped in a jumper that kicked off a 7-2 run for the Patriots that was capped by a Knighton three pointer to give them a one point lead. The Javelinas would answer with a hook shot to take the lead, and the two teams would trade three pointers to close out the half with the Javelinas taking a slim 27-26 lead.
 
That lead would last just 23 seconds into the second half, as Lovisa Hevinder dropped in a deep three pointer to give the Patriots the lead right back. Meagan Mendazona followed with a pair of free throws, and the Patriots went up four at the 7:59 mark. The Javelinas fought back to tie the contest at the 4:37 mark, but Mendazona buried another triple to give the Patriots the lead yet again. That three pointer kicked off a 9-7 run to close out the quarter and a 42-40 lead heading into the final period of the contest.
 
Knighton would drill another triple to open the fourth quarter, but the Javelinas continued to fight back, closing the gap yet again. This time however, Latysheva had the answers, making a pair of three pointers over a two minute stretch to twice put the Patriots up six. Her final make was tacked on to by Knighton with a layup at the 1:56 mark, putting the Patriots up six points and nearly out of reach. Down the closing stretch, the Javelinas went into foul mode, and the Patriots were able to convert from the line to hold off the upset effort.
 
Polina Latysheva and Meagan Mendazona joined Knighton in double figures, scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively. Latysheva made a pair of threes while adding in four rebounds and three assists. Mendazona went 5-for-6 from the free throw line and also added four rebounds and three assists.
 
The Patriots now begin a four game homestand, beginning with Eastern New Mexico on Thursday, January 23^rd at 5 p.m.