LAST TIME OUT
 
Last week the Patriots headed to central Texas to take on both St. Mary's and St. Edward's. Against the Rattlers, the Patriots had to storm back late, eventually getting a clutch layup from Megan Mendazona in the final minute of play to take the lead and hang on for the win. Against the Hilltoppers, the Patriots handled business, shooting 46% from the field and 44% from deep on their way to a double digit win.
 
NATIONAL POLLS
 
The Patriots moved up to #6 in both the WBCA and D2CSC Top 25 rankings that were released on Tuesday. That #6 ranking in the WBCA poll is their highest of the Division II era, surpassing their previous high mark of #7.
 
SENIOR NIGHT

Prior to Saturday afternoon's contest against Texas A&M International, the Patriots will host their Senior Night festivities. They will honor Lovisa Hevinder, Enisa Kamerolli, Ella Bradley, and Shaylee McDonald as they each wrap up their eligibility at the end of this season. That ceremony will take place at approximately 12:45 prior to the start of their game.
 
PATRIOTS NOTES AND TRENDS
 

• UT Tyler finished the 2023-24 season 27-9 overall and made their second consecutive NCAA Sweet 16. That win mark is tied for the most in the NCAA Division II era of the program. The Patriots are the only team in the South Central Region to win a game in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments.
• Last season the Patriots finished 13-2 on their home floor and are now 11-1 this season, raising their mark to 46-7 under head coach Rebecca Alvidrez inside the Herrington Patriot Center.
• In the last four seasons (including 2024-25), the Patriots are a combined 31-13 in non-conference matchups, including a 12-3 record at home in non-conference games.
• Head Coach Rebecca Alvidrez is now 103-47 all time in her four season career, and she is 94-28 in her time at UT Tyler.
• Coach Alvidrez won her 100^th career game on January 30^th, 2025 as the Patriots took down Cameron. It took just 148 games for Alvidrez to reach the milestone, and she is in just her fifth season as a head coach.
• The Patriots dominant defense has shown throughout the season yet again, as they rank inside the top 30 nationally in field goal percentage defense (3^rd), scoring defense (7^th), scoring margin (14^th), and three point percentage defense (12^th).
• On the offensive side, the Patriots have hit their stride, now ranking inside the top 50 nationally in three pointers per game (9^th), assist/turnover ratio (20^th), assists per game (28^th), and free throw percentage (16^th).
• The Patriots have a variety of leaders on the floor thus far. Ella Bradley ranks inside the top 10 in the LSC in assist/turnover ratio (3^rd), assists (7^th), steals (2^nd), and steals per game (2^nd). Megan Mendazona is 6^th in points per game, 6^th in free throws, and 5^th in free throw percentage.

 
JAVELINAS NOTES AND TRENDS

• Texas A&M-Kingsville is 15-8 on the year and 11-6 in LSC play. They have won their last five contests with all five coming against LSC opponents.
• The Javelinas are scoring 60.0 points per game while allowing 54.1 points per game. They are shooting 43.2% from the floor and 33.2% from deep. Their opponents are shooting 37.2% from the floor and 31.1% from deep.
• Shelby Ray leads the offense at 11.3 points per game. Ray is shooting 47.9% from the floor while leading the team in rebounding at 5.9 per game. She also has a team-high 14 blocks and has 24 assists and 21 steals.
• Michael Madrid is at the helm of the program and is in his sixth season of his career, all with the Javelinas. He holds a record of 75-74 in those six seasons.
• The Patriots lead the series 5-4 all-time, and they have taken each of the last four contests, including the one from earlier this season.

DUSTDEVILS NOTES AND TRENDS

• Texas A&M International is just 5-18 on the season and 4-13 in LSC play. They have dropped their last four games after winning two in a row on January 23 and 25.
• The Dustdevils are averaging 59.9 points per game on 37.3% shooting and 27% shooting from beyond the arc. Their opponents are scoring 68.3 points per game on 43% shooting and 29.3% from beyond the arc.
• Josie Igherighe and Trinity Chears are the leaders of the offense, scoring 12.3 and 12.2 points per game, respectively. Igherighe leads the team in rebounding and is second in steals, while Chears is second in assists and third in steals.
• Head coach Jaida Williams is in her first year with the program. Previously she served as head coach at Coastal Carolina from 2013-2022.
• UT Tyler leads the all-time series at 8-1 and have won each of the last six games. The Patriots are now 4-1 in Laredo and are 4-0 at home.