TYLER, TEXAS – The UT Tyler men's basketball team battled through 40 minutes of back-and-forth action but came up just short on Thursday night, falling 76–74 to Western New Mexico in a tightly contested Lone Star Conference matchup inside the Herrington Patriot Center. The game featured 14 lead changes and six ties, with neither team leading by more than seven points at any point, as both sides traded momentum throughout the night.
UT Tyler opened the evening with early defensive energy, forcing a pair of turnovers on Western New Mexico's first possessions, though both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening minutes. After the Mustangs struck first, Sean Emfinger got the Patriots on the board with a driving layup, and UT Tyler quickly settled into an inside-out attack.
Gregory Fowlds provided a spark off the bench, scoring on a turnaround jumper and finishing through contact as the Patriots briefly pulled ahead. Sam Phipps added energy in transition, converting multiple finishes in the paint as UT Tyler continued to answer every Mustang push. Strong ball pressure led to steals and fast-break chances, with Emfinger and Hudson Anderson attacking downhill to keep the game tight.
Midway through the half, Western New Mexico pieced together a short run behind offensive rebounds and trips to the free-throw line, but UT Tyler responded immediately. Phipps finished a layup in traffic and later capped a fast-break sequence with another bucket to pull the Patriots within one. UT Tyler closed the half on a 5–0 run, highlighted by a John Barbee layup and a Spencer Gaze three-pointer, trimming the deficit to 33–32 in favor of the Mustangs at the break.
The second half opened with both teams trading baskets on nearly every possession. Phipps scored twice early in the paint, including a fast-break finish, while Emfinger continued to facilitate and attack to help UT Tyler regain the lead. Noah Suarjaya knocked down a tough jumper in traffic, and Anderson added a driving layup as the Patriots pushed ahead 53–47.
Western New Mexico answered with timely scoring inside and second-chance points to retake the lead, but UT Tyler stayed composed. Barbee converted a fast-break layup and followed with two free throws to put the Patriots back in front, 57–56, with under eight minutes remaining. The game remained tight as both teams traded punches, with neither able to create separation.
Down the stretch, the Mustangs used a brief run to open a seven-point advantage, but the Patriots responded with urgency. Xavier Williams finished inside, and Emfinger followed with a strong take to the rim to pull UT Tyler within three. After Western New Mexico pushed the margin back to five, Phipps threw down a dunk off an offensive rebound to cut the deficit to 66–63 with just under four minutes to play.
In the final two minutes, UT Tyler continued to apply pressure. Emfinger came up with a perfectly timed interception and converted at the rim, then knocked down a free throw to bring the Patriots within one. After a Mustang free throw, Emfinger again attacked the paint and finished with nine seconds remaining to tie the game at 74 and ignite the Herrington Patriot Center.
Western New Mexico responded by drawing a foul with one second left on a contested rebound and converted both free throws. UT Tyler's final look was tipped before reaching a shooter, sealing the one-possession loss.
Sam Phipps led UT Tyler with a strong two-way performance, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Sean Emfinger followed with 17 points, including 13 in the second half, while adding two steals and a block. John Barbee rounded out the Patriots in double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds. UT Tyler generated quality looks throughout the night but was hampered at the free-throw line and from beyond the arc, finishing 13-for-26 at the stripe and 3-for-21 from three-point range.
UT Tyler will now turn to Sul Ross State on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. inside the HPC. It will double as Southside Bank Customer Appreciation Night, as UT Tyler welcomes all employees, employee families, and customers of Southside Bank to receive free admission. Additionally, the Patriots will have the ring ceremony for the 2025 Division II National Championship softball team at halftime of the game and there will be a t-shirt giveaway.
