TYLER, TEXAS – Before the final regular season tip inside the Herrington Patriot Center, the UT Tyler Patriots honored three seniors who helped elevate the standard of the program — Boston Caldwell, Sam Phipps, and Hudson Anderson. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to representing UT Tyler with pride were celebrated pregame, and fittingly, the Patriots followed with an 84–76 victory over Texas A&M International to close the regular season in style. With family and teammates standing beside them, Caldwell, Phipps, and Anderson were recognized for the impact they've made not only on the court, but across campus and throughout the Tyler community. The trio has helped shape a culture built on toughness, brotherhood, and accountability.
The opening half proved competitive from the outset. Kyle Morgan got UT Tyler on the board with a paint jumper, and the Patriots traded early baskets with the Dustdevils. Sam Phipps made his presence felt defensively with multiple blocks in the first 10 minutes, while Sean Emfinger and Morgan knocked down timely shots to keep UT Tyler within striking distance.
Texas A&M International built a lead midway through the half, stretching the margin to as many as 10 points after a trio of three-pointers. The Patriots responded with grit. John Barbee buried a three, Heath Tenner followed with one from deep, and UT Tyler steadily chipped away. Gregory Fowlds' late jumper pulled the Patriots within one at 34-33 heading into halftime, closing the half on a surge of momentum.
UT Tyler wasted no time seizing control in the second half. Emfinger opened the frame with a three-pointer to give the Patriots the lead, and Phipps powered in a putback moments later to extend the advantage. Jacob Bell and Xavier Williams fueled transition opportunities, and a Bell three-pointer pushed the lead to seven. From there, UT Tyler's defensive pressure turned into offense.
Barbee ignited the crowd with a fastbreak dunk and later drilled a transition three to stretch the lead to nine. Phipps dominated the glass, finishing inside repeatedly while controlling rebounds on both ends. Emfinger attacked downhill and converted at the free throw line, helping UT Tyler build a double-digit cushion midway through the half.
The Dustdevils made one final push, trimming the deficit to two with just over eight minutes to play. The Patriots responded with poise. Phipps scored inside, Barbee added another fastbreak layup, and Williams converted in the paint to steady the lead. Down the stretch, Emfinger and Morgan knocked down critical free throws to seal the victory.
Phipps capped his Senior Night with a dominant all-around effort, finishing with 15 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals while controlling the paint in the closing minutes. Emfinger paced the Patriots with 25 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 at the free throw line, while adding key assists in transition. Barbee provided a spark with 14 points, highlighted by a fastbreak dunk and a transition three.
UT Tyler finished the night shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three while converting 12-of-15 at the free throw line. The Patriots dominated inside with 48 points in the paint, added 16 second-chance points, and turned 14 Dustdevil turnovers into 16 points. UT Tyler also received a strong lift from its bench with 24 points as the Patriots controlled the glass and pulled away in the second half to secure the 84-76 Senior Night victory.
With the victory, UT Tyler closes the regular season having won five of its last six games, sending its seniors out at the Herrington Patriot Center with a well-earned celebration and another milestone season in program history.
