TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's basketball took down Oklahoma Christian 76-65 on Saturday due to an outburst of both offense and defense in the first half.
 
The Patriots held the Eagles to 18.1% from the field while shooting 50% to take a 34-15 lead going into the half which held off the Eagles as they erupted in the second half.
 
Oklahoma Christian scored first, however UT Tyler scored a quick three to answer and that would be the tale of the story as the lead changed seven times before the Patriots went on an 11-0 run to take a 21-11 lead with 8:33 left in the first half. Dontrell Hewlett scored six of the 11 during that stretch.
 
The Eagles only scored four more points during the first half as UT Tyler went on a 13-4 run led by Mareng Gatkuoth who scored seven during that frame. 
 
At the end of the half Gatkuoth and Hewlett led the team in scoring with 10 each but the Patriots filled up the box score as seven different players found the bottom of the net.
 
UT Tyler carried their momentum into the second half as they scored 12 unanswered points out of halftime to take a 46-15 lead with 16:33 to play.
 
The Patriots hardly slowed down as Gatkuoth scored his 17th point on a layup to take a 33 point lead which was the largest lead of the game with 10:06 to go.
 
Oklahoma Christian caught fire as they hit back to back threes and found momentum. This led to a 12-0 run that brought life into the Eagles offense.
 
The Patriots battled to stay ahead but struggled at the free throw line which put Oklahoma Christian down by just 10 with 3:14 to go. 
 
UT Tyler was still struggling with their free throws as Oklahoma Christian kept fouling and making their shots. Suddenly the Eagles found themselves down by four with 1:47 to go. That's when the free throws started falling for UT Tyler as Gatkuoth, and Jadin Penigar made 10 of their final 12 to win 76-65.
 
The Patriots were dominant on the glass as they out rebounded the Eagles 45-24. UT Tyler also held Oklahoma Christian to 35.7% from the field while they shot 46.9%.
 
UT Tyler looks to start a winning streak as they face off against St. Mary's on Thursday, February 6th at 7:30 p.m. on the road in San Antonio, Texas.