DENVER, CO. – The UT Tyler Men's Basketball program wrapped up their time in Denver with a tough 94 to 84 loss against Westminster in the final game of the South Central Regional Challenge. The Patriots erased a 14-point deficit to pull even at 44-44 early in the second half, but it wasn't enough as UT Tyler falls for the first time in 2026.
The Patriots saw most of their first half success from the perimeter, making 7 of 15 3-pointers and taking a 42-36 lead into halftime. UT Tyler finished with a season-high 10 3-pointers. Garrett Nuckolls hit four of those 3-pointers, including three in the opening four minutes of the game as he scored nine straight points to give the Patriots a 14 to five run to open play. The Patriots also had 11 assists on 13 made field goals and held a 22-20 rebounding edge over the Griffins.
The Patriots held a 64-61 lead late in the second half after baskets by Femi Olaniyan and Nuckolls, but Westminster answered with eight straight points of their own to put the Patriots behind 69-64 with 6:18 left. The Griffins used their bench and free throws to pull away, boasting a 50-17 advantage while going 26-for-29 at the free-throw line in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Patriots struggled to find the bottom of the net after the break shooting 13-for-28 from the field, committing seven turnovers. UT Tyler got late 3-pointers from Nuckolls and Jameel Wesley II but it wasn't enough as the Patriots drop their first game this season. Wesley II has recorded at least four assists in two consecutive games.
Nuckolls topped his big scoring night from Friday as the senior from Tyler put up a 30 point performance, making five 3-pointers and converting all 11 of his free throws. It's the second game in a row that the transfer guard has hit at least five 3-pointers this year. Garrett Falls finished with eight points but contributed on the glass corralling eight rebounds and dishing out a team high seven assists. Sean Emfinger bounced back from a slow start adding another double digit scorer for the Patriots with 14 points, including two 3-pointers. Femi Olaniyan add seven rebounds and three assists for the Patriots.
The Patriots will tip off for the first time at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center this season, next Tuesday, Nov. 17 as they host Arlington Baptist at 5 p.m.
