TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's basketball battled throughout but came up short against No. 14-ranked St. Edward's, falling 70–55 on Saturday afternoon at the Herrington Patriot Center in Lone Star Conference play.

The Patriots controlled the paint for much of the afternoon, finishing with a 32–26 edge in paint points and forcing eight Hilltopper turnovers. However, St. Edward's perimeter shooting and second-half efficiency proved decisive, as the Hilltoppers connected on nine three-pointers and shot 41.7% from the field.

UT Tyler opened the game with energy, as Kyle Morgan knocked down an early three-pointer to give the Patriots the first lead. The opening half featured several lead changes, with UT Tyler answering St. Edward's runs through strong interior finishes from Sam Phipps and timely contributions off the bench. Despite forcing six first-half turnovers, the Patriots trailed 34–24 at the break after the Hilltoppers closed the half on a late surge.

The Patriots responded coming out of the locker room. Jacob Bell drilled a three-pointer early in the second half, and UT Tyler continued to attack inside as Phipps and Xavier Williams converted around the rim to keep the margin within single digits. Bell's triple at the 17:12 mark cut the deficit to 39–31 and briefly shifted momentum.

St. Edward's answered with a decisive stretch midway through the half. The Hilltoppers strung together multiple possessions highlighted by three-pointers and second-chance points, pushing the lead to 17. UT Tyler continued to fight, trimming the margin behind interior buckets and defensive stops and pulling within 11 after another Morgan three at the five-minute mark. However, that would be as close as the Patriots would get, as St. Edward's closed out the contest for the 70–55 victory.

UT Tyler finished the night shooting 43.4% from the field and outrebounded the Hilltoppers in the second half, but St. Edward's shot 33.3% from three and limited Patriot free-throw opportunities, holding UT Tyler to just five attempts at the line.

Kyle Morgan led UT Tyler with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Sam Phipps posted a strong all-around performance with 10 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Xavier Williams added nine points and three assists, and Jacob Bell chipped in five points and three assists.

UT Tyler will look to regroup as the Patriots head to Puerto Rico for non-conference matchups against Río Piedras and Bayamón.