LUBBOCK, TEXAS – UT Tyler women's basketball opened play at the South Central Region Challenge with a 50-40 victory Friday afternoon at the Rip Griffin Center, using a strong second-half performance to secure its second win of the season.
The Patriots improved to 2-2 overall with the win, outscoring their opponent 35-28 over the final two quarters after holding a three-point advantage at halftime.
UT Tyler got on the board first with a layup from Polina Latysheva, but offense was hard to come by in the opening quarter. The Patriots and their opponent were tied at five points apiece late in the period, with Georgia Tomkins providing a spark at the free-throw line to help even the score. UT Tyler entered the second quarter looking to find its rhythm offensively.
The Patriots began to create separation in the second quarter. Hayley Cumming contributed a three-pointer, while Jadyn Middleton and Tylah Hooper added baskets to keep the offense moving. The Patriots carried a 15-12 lead into the break after limiting their opponent to seven points in the second quarter.
UT Tyler continued to build its advantage after halftime. Edit Merivirta opened the second-half scoring with a transition layup, while Nikolina Vukcevic added a basket and Hooper continued to provide an offensive presence. Hakkarainen contributed another layup, and Gardere connected from beyond the arc as the Patriots found more consistency on the offensive end.
The Patriots scored 15 points in the third quarter and held their opponent to 11, extending their lead to 30-23 heading into the final period.
UT Tyler put together its strongest offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring 20 points to close out the victory. Hooper opened the period with a layup before Vukcevic and Tomkins added baskets to extend the advantage. Salome Svani also contributed with a jumper, helping the Patriots maintain control as the game moved into its final minutes.
After seeing the lead cut to four, Gardere answered with a timely three-pointer to push the margin back to seven. Hooper followed with a jumper and another layup, while the Patriots converted key free throws down the stretch to preserve the lead. Hayley Cumming and Hooper helped seal the result at the line in the closing minute.
Hooper led the Patriots with 14 points and seven rebounds while adding two assists. Cumming recorded seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds to go with two steals. Tomkins finished with six points and six rebounds, while Gardere added six points on a pair of three-pointers. Hakkarainen contributed four points and three rebounds.
UT Tyler finished the afternoon with 40 rebounds, eight steals and two blocks. The Patriots also scored 26 points in the paint and added 19 points off the bench.
The Patriots continue play at the South Central Region Challenge Saturday, Nov. 14, facing Colorado State-Pueblo in Lubbock.
