LAST TIME OUT
 
Last week UT Tyler took on both Texas A&M International and Texas A&M-Kingsville on the road. Against the Dustdevils last Thursday, the Patriots caught fire, making 16 three pointers on their way to a dominant win. That mark is the second most in program history and most in the Division II era. Against the Javelinas on Saturday, the Patriots leaned on freshman Tianna Knighton, who delivered a career high 24 points to lead the Patriots to the win.
 
NATIONALLY RANKED


In this week's D2CSC poll, the Patriots are up to #8, one of their highest marks of the season. In the WBCA poll, the Patriots are up to #9, their highest mark of the year and highest since the preseason poll from 2023-24. The Patriots continue their strong start to the year, now standing at 15-2 on the season and 10-1 in LSC competition as they remain in a tie for first place.
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS

• UT Tyler finished the 2023-24 season 27-9 overall and made their second consecutive NCAA Sweet 16. That win mark is tied for the most in the NCAA Division II era of the program. The Patriots are the only team in the South Central Region to win a game in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments.
• Last season the Patriots finished 13-2 on their home floor and are now 7-1 this season, raising their mark to 42-7 under head coach Rebecca Alvidrez inside the Herrington Patriot Center.
• In the last four seasons (including 2024-25), the Patriots are a combined 31-13 in non-conference matchups, including a 12-3 record at home in non-conference games.
• Head Coach Rebecca Alvidrez is now 97-47 all time in her four season career, and she is 88-28 in her time at UT Tyler.
• The early part of the year has shown the Patriots dominant defense again, as they rank inside the top 30 nationally in field goal percentage defense (2^nd), scoring defense (4^th), scoring margin (19^th), and three point percentage defense (9^th).
• On the offensive side, the Patriots have hit their stride, now ranking inside the top 50 nationally in three pointers per game (19^th), assist/turnover ratio (25^th), and free throw percentage (25^th).
• Meagan Mendazona has enjoyed a strong start to the year, ranking inside the top five in the LSC in field goal percentage (5^th, 47.6%), free throws (4^th, 60), and points per game (4^th, 15.6).

 
GREYHOUNDS NOTES AND TRENDS

• Eastern New Mexico is 12-5 overall and 7-4 in LSC play. They have dropped three of their last four contests in LSC competition.
• The Greyhounds are averaging 73.4 points per game while their opponents are at 59.1. They are shooting 42% from the floor and 34% from deep while holding opponents to 38% from the floor and 27% from beyond the arc.
• It has been a team effort on offense, led by Ishuana Hunter at 11.5 points per game on 47% shooting. She is snagging 4.9 rebounds per game and adding 12 assists and 24 steals.
• The head coach of the program is Blake Huber, who is in his second season. He holds a record of 23-22 with the Greyhounds and is 52-24 overall in his career.
• UT Tyler holds the series lead at 3-1 overall and are winners of each of the last three games.

 
LADY BUFFS NOTES AND TRENDS

• West Texas A&M is 13-5 on the year and 7-4 in LSC play thus far. They have won each of their last three games after dropping the previous two contests.
• The Lady Buffs are averaging 70.3 points per game on 41% shooting and 32% from beyond the arc. Their opponents are scoring 64.4 points per game on 38% shooting and 28% from deep.
• Kyla Kane leads the program, scoring 14.3 points per game on 41% shooting and 40% from deep. She is also averaging 3.7 rebounds while dishing out 31 assists and picking up a team-high nine blocks.
• Josh Prock is the head coach and is in his fourth season with the program after previously serving as the head coach at Eastern New Mexico. He is 78-40 overall with the Lady Buffs and 287-170 overall as a head coach in 16 seasons.
• Overall the two teams are an even 3-3 in the series, with the Patriots winning three of the last four. The two teams are 1-1 in games played in Tyler.