ELLENSBURG, WASH. – UT Tyler women's basketball put together a strong second-half comeback against No. 21 Western Washington, but the Patriots came up just short in a 60-56 decision Saturday afternoon in the second game of the DII Tip-Off Classic hosted by Central Washington.
The Patriots outscored the Vikings 35-31 over the final two quarters and had an opportunity to tie the game in the closing seconds. Tylah Hooper led UT Tyler with 23 points, while Hayley Cumming added 16 points and six rebounds. The duo accounted for 39 of the Patriots' 56 points.
Cumming opened the scoring for UT Tyler with a three-pointer from the top of the key, and Hooper later connected from beyond the arc to give the Patriots an 8-7 lead. Western Washington closed the first quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 14-8 advantage into the second.
Hooper helped UT Tyler find its rhythm in the second quarter, scoring on a pair of free throws before knocking down another three-pointer. Cumming added a free throw, and Jadyn Middleton followed with a floater to cap a 6-0 run that brought the Patriots within one.
Cumming then converted an and-one opportunity to give UT Tyler a 21-20 lead, completing a 9-1 stretch. The Vikings answered with a strong finish to the half, putting together a 9-0 run to take a 29-21 advantage into the break. Hooper led the Patriots with 10 points at halftime.
UT Tyler responded after the break, with Georgia Tomkins scoring on consecutive possessions to help keep the Patriots within reach. The Patriots then made their biggest push of the afternoon as Hooper scored in transition before finding Cumming for another fast-break opportunity. Cumming converted the free throw to complete a 9-0 run in less than two minutes, cutting the deficit to 35-31.
Western Washington answered with a three-pointer and continued to build its lead, but UT Tyler stayed within striking distance. Middleton knocked down two free throws late in the period, and the Patriots won the third quarter 16-15 to enter the final 10 minutes trailing 44-37.
The Patriots continued to chip away in the fourth. Hooper knocked down a corner three before Erinn Gardere connected from beyond the arc to make it a six-point game. Gardere later drew a foul on another three-point attempt and converted two free throws, pulling UT Tyler within four at 50-46.
Western Washington responded with a pair of free throws and a basket, but Hooper kept the Patriots in the game. After adding a free throw, she connected on her fourth three-pointer of the afternoon to cut the deficit to 54-50. Cumming followed with a floater, and Hooper added two free throws to bring UT Tyler within one.
The Vikings answered with a midrange jumper, but the Patriots continued to battle in the final seconds. With eight seconds remaining, Western Washington made one free throw to extend its lead to 58-54 but missed the second. Middleton grabbed the rebound and raced down the floor, drawing a foul and converting both free throws with three seconds remaining to make it a two-point game. Western Washington then knocked down two free throws to secure the 60-56 victory.
Hooper finished 6-for-7 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range, adding seven made free throws. Cumming contributed six rebounds and two steals, while Tomkins finished with five points and five rebounds. Middleton added six points, and Gardere chipped in five.
The Patriots will close out the DII Tip-Off Classic Sunday afternoon against tournament host Central Washington. The Wildcats, who are receiving votes in the national poll, are scheduled to tip off against UT Tyler at 3 p.m. Central.
