TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball moves to 7-1 in LSC play and 12-2 overall after a dominant display on defense on Thursday evening.
The Patriots outscored the Hilltoppers in each of the first three quarters and were able to get themselves to the free throw line often for easy points to take control of the contest.
Meagan Mendazona scored 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting while knocking down three triples and going 6-for-8 from the charity stripe to lead the offensive threat.
Polina Latysheva was the lone other player in double figures after scoring 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting while also making two three pointers.
The Patriots shot 5-for-14 in the first quarter but made three three pointers and three free throws while holding the Hilltoppers to just 3-for-15 shooting to build a 16-9 lead. Mendazona, Latysheva, and
Lovisa Hevinder would combine for all 16 points, with Hevinder knocking down a three pointer right at the end of the quarter to make it a seven point game.
In the second quarter, Mendazona took over the contest, scoring nine more points on her own. She scored the first nine points of the quarter for the Patriots while also knocking in a three pointer. Hevinder would add to her total again late in the quarter, as she beat the buzzer with a late layup to ensure a 31-18 lead at the half.
Mendazona again got things going for the Patriots in the third quarter, scoring the first four points of the period before turning the reigns over to freshman
Tianna Knighton. Knighton scored four of her six points on the night in the period, and
Mileina Sablinskaite knocked down a pair of free throws with less than a second left to give the Patriots a 45-29 lead heading into the final frame.
The final quarter saw both teams battle back and fourth, with the Hilltoppers ultimately outscoring the Patriots 16-15 in the frame. Latysheva would score five points in the quarter, while Mendazona added four more to allow the Patriots to keep pace and not allow the Hilltoppers to play their way back in.
The 25% from the field by the Hilltoppers is the third lowest mark by a Patriots opponent this season and the lowest by an LSC opponent thus far. The 16% from three by St. Edward's is the fourth lowest mark by a Patriots opponent, and it is the third lowest by an LSC opponent thus far.
The Patriots will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as they take on St. Mary's. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the Herrington Patriot Center.
