TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler men's basketball put together a tough effort on Thursday against Texas A&M-Kingsville, but the Javelinas proved to be too strong from the field on their way to a 74-52 win.
 
The Javelinas shot 56.9% from the floor and 47.6% from deep in the contest to outpace the Patriots.
 
Mareng Gatkuoth had 18 points on the night, with all 18 coming from the three point line as he connected on six triples. Sam Phipps and Dontrell Hewlett each scored 10 points while Phipps had a team high five rebounds and Hewlett added four boards, three assists, and one steal.
 
Over the first 10:11 of the contest, the Patriots held a 26-17 lead as Gatkuoth scored all six of his three pointers in that stretch. The Patriots shot 10-for-15 from the field and held the Javelinas down to 8-for-15 to take the early advantage.
 
However, the Javelinas quickly caught fire, going 11-for-14 over the final 9:45 of the half and knocking down five three pointers of their own on a 27-7 run that saw them take a 44-33 advantage into the halftime break.
 
Over the first 9:30 of the second half, the two teams went nearly shot for shot, with the Javelinas just barely extending their lead. The Patriots held them to just 5-for-11 in that stretch, but were unable to find their footing on offense to gain ground.
 
Jadin Penigar connected on a three pointer at the 10:02 mark to cut the lead down to 14, but the Javelinas answered with a 12-3 run over the next three minutes to put themselves out of reach and take the win.
 
The Patriots will now celebrate Senior Day on Saturday afternoon as they will face off with Texas A&M International at 3 p.m.. The senior day festivities will take place immediately after the conclusion of the women's game at approximately 2:45 p.m.