GOLDEN, COLO. – UT Tyler men's basketball delivered another complete team effort on Saturday night, picking up an 87–79 road win at Colorado School of Mines behind five players in double figures and a wire-to-wire performance that featured runs on both sides.

The Patriots opened the game with poise, scoring the first four points behind a pair of free throws from Kyle Morgan and a layup from Sam Phipps. After Mines cut into the margin, Jacob Bell knocked down a three at the 15:23 mark to pull UT Tyler even at 7–7, and the Patriots followed with more points highlighted by a Suarjaya three and a driving layup that pushed the lead to 12–7.

UT Tyler's early execution from deep and in transition fueled a 19–11 advantage after another Morgan three and a Bell layup off a steal. Moments later, Bell drilled his second three of the half, and two fastbreak free throws from the sophomore guard extended the margin to 26–15.

Mines traded punches with the Patriots for much of the half, but UT Tyler kept the lead around double digits throughout. A two-handed fastbreak dunk from Phipps off an outlet from Bell provided the Patriots their largest lead of the opening period at 42–29 in the final minute, and UT Tyler took a 42–32 edge into the break.

Out of halftime, Colorado School of Mines looked to chip away, but the Patriots had responses at every turn. Suarjaya converted in the lane to stabilize the lead, and after a Mines three trimmed the margin to 45–39, Bell knocked down a mid-range jumper before Xavier Williams added a driving finish to push the lead back to 10.

Mines made another push, but UT Tyler's defensive pressure and interior play swung momentum back in the Patriots favor. A steal by Williams led to a Bell fastbreak layup that made it 52–41, and minutes later, Suarjaya found Bell in transition once again to stretch the margin to 54–43.

Colorado School of Mines continued to battle, knocking down perimeter shots to pull within single digits, but the Patriots frontcourt delivered the closing punch. Phipps powered home a key dunk later in the half, and Barbee knocked down important free throws to keep UT Tyler firmly in front. The Patriots maintained control in the final seconds with a collective effort at the free-throw line and on the defensive glass.

UT Tyler closed the night shooting 55 percent (31-for-56) from the floor while racking up 46 points in the paint. Bell led the way with 21 points, Phipps added 18 points and nine rebounds, Morgan totaled 17 points and five assists, Barbee contributed 16 points and eight boards, and Suarjaya rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12 points and five assists.

The win moves the Patriots to a perfect 2–0 start as they return home for their home opener next week to continue non-conference play against Our Lady of the Lake.