LAREDO, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's basketball fell to 4–1 on the season and 0–1 in Lone Star Conference play after a 65–58 loss to Texas A&M International on Thursday night.

The Patriots shot 45.8% from the field and 38.5% from three while holding the Dustdevils to 46% shooting overall. However, Texas A&M International converted 12-of-17 attempts at the free-throw line and forced 16 UT Tyler turnovers, capitalizing just enough to take the narrow home victory.

UT Tyler opened the night with strong interior play, trading baskets early before building a 17-16 lead behind a surge of fast-break points and timely stops. The Patriots held the advantage in the paint throughout the first half, finishing with 18 points inside while forcing nine Dustdevil turnovers. A late 3-pointer from Noah Suarjaya helped UT Tyler close the half with a 27-26 edge.

The second half began with more back-and-forth action. Suarjaya opened the half with a fastbreak layup assisted by Jacob Bell, and Kyle Morgan drilled a three-pointer moments later to push UT Tyler back in front 32–30 at the 17:29 mark. However, Texas A&M International responded, using a pair of layups and free throws to regain momentum. After a tip-in by Sam Phipps cut the deficit to 38–36 with 14:11 remaining, the Dustdevils mounted a decisive counterpunch.

Over the next seven minutes, Texas A&M International outscored UT Tyler 13–0, fueled by turnovers and a trio of made three-pointers, stretching their lead to 51–36. The Patriots ended the drought at the 7:53 mark with a free throw from John Barbee before Jacob Bell and Suarjaya answered with back-to-back baskets to trim the deficit to 51–42.

UT Tyler continued to chip away, as Chris Carpenter buried a three with 5:11 left to make it a six-point game, but timely baskets from the Dustdevils pushed the gap back to double digits. Suarjaya knocked down another three with 59 seconds remaining, and Kyle Morgan and Jacob Bell added late layups, but Texas A&M International closed it out at the free-throw line to secure the 65–58 victory.

UT Tyler held a 34–24 advantage in paint points, an 11–8 edge in fast-break scoring, and forced 16 Dustdevil turnovers, but Texas A&M International's second-half shot-making and 12-for-17 performance at the line proved to be the difference.

Noah Suarjaya led the Patriots with 15 points and 3 assists, while Xavier Williams added 14 points and two rebounds. Jacob Bell posted six points and four rebounds, and Sam Phipps finished with nine rebounds, five points, and two steals.

UT Tyler will look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. as they travel to Kingsville, Texas, to take on Texas A&M–Kingsville.