TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball moved to 22-2 on the year and 17-1 in LSC play behind a big effort from the trio of
Lovisa Hevinder,
Meagan Mendazona, and
Ella Bradley and tremendous three point shooting.
That trio combined for 48 total points and 10 of the 12 made three pointers as each took their turn in getting hot from the floor and leading the Patriots offense. Hevinder and Mendazona each scored 17, as Hevinder knocked down five three pointers and Mendazona knocked down another pair. Bradley would score 14 in her night, as she added in three triples and also put up six steals on defense.
Texas A&M-Kingsville led 5-0 to begin the contest, but Hevinder knocked down a three pointer and Bradley added in an and-one layup to make it 6-5. Those two baskets kicked off a 24-4 run over the final 7:59 of the period, marked by four three pointers from Hevinder and six total from the Patriots as they shot 8-for-11 in the period and 6-for-7 from deep.
All of that hot shooting would dissipate in the second frame, with both sides combining to go just 7-for-26 as both defensive efforts ramped up. The Javelinas would hold an 8-7 advantage after the period, but the Patriots led 31-17 heading into halftime.
The Javelinas put together a charge in the third quarter, running out on a 16-5 run to cut the Patriots lead down to just five points with 4:59 remaining. However, the Patriots defense clamped down, allowing just two points in those final five minutes as they forced the Javelinas into four turnovers and held them to 1-for-4 in that stretch.
Another key run to begin the final frame of the night cut the lead down to just three points as the Javelinas opened on an 8-2 run, but the Patriots again found the answers they needed.
Tianna Knighton calmed the storm with a big three pointer to move the lead back to six, and Mendazona and Bradley each added three pointers of their own to give themselves a 10 point lead with just 1:56 remaining.
That lead would be plenty to work with, as the Patriots were able to ice the game down the stretch and hang on for a 61-54 win.
In addition to her 17 points, Hevinder also added a team high eight rebounds and chipped in two assists. Mendazona also snagged seven rebounds while posting two assists and a block.
Polina Latysheva dished out a team-high six assists on the evening.
The Patriots will be back in action on Saturday afternoon for Senior Day inside the HPC. That ceremony will take place approximately 10 minutes before the game begins. Saturday's game against Texas A&M International is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.
