TYLER, TEXAS – Coming off a 22-11 season that included a 16-4 mark in Lone Star Conference play and a trip to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Semifinals, the UT Tyler women's basketball program has announced its 2026-27 schedule as head coach Rebecca Alvidrez enters her sixth season leading the Patriots.
Alvidrez has established UT Tyler as one of the Lone Star Conference's consistent contenders, compiling a 120-42 record through her first five seasons at the helm. Four of Alvidrez's five seasons have featured single-digit losses, including a 2025-26 campaign that saw the Patriots finish 11-3 at the Herrington Patriot Center.
The Patriots will begin preseason play with a pair of scrimmages, traveling to Magnolia, Arkansas, to face Southern Arkansas before meeting East Central on Oct. 23 in Dallas at 12:30 p.m.
UT Tyler officially opens the 2026-27 season at the DII Tip-Off Classic hosted by Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. The Patriots will face Montana State Billings on Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. CST before taking on Western Washington on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. CST. UT Tyler will close the weekend against tournament host Central Washington on Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. CST.
The Patriots return to Texas for the South Central Regional Challenge in Lubbock on Nov. 13-14. UT Tyler will face Colorado Christian on Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m. before taking on CSU Pueblo at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.
UT Tyler will make its home debut on Nov. 20 against Texas A&M-Texarkana at 11:30 a.m. as part of an Elementary School Game. The Patriots will then host College of Biblical Studies on Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. before welcoming Fort Lewis to the Herrington Patriot Center on Nov. 27 at 1 p.m.
Lone Star Conference play begins at home on Dec. 3 when the Patriots host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 5:30 p.m. for Holiday Hoopla and UT Health East Texas Night. UT Tyler will remain at home on Dec. 5 to face Texas A&M International at 1 p.m. for Military and First Responder Appreciation before traveling to St. Edward's on Dec. 10.
The Patriots will close the 2026 calendar year with a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, for the DII College Tournament hosted by Hawaii Pacific. UT Tyler will face Harding on Dec. 18 at 8:30 p.m. CST before meeting Chaminade on Dec. 19 at 6:15 p.m. CST.
UT Tyler will open the new year at home on Jan. 1 against UT Permian Basin at 5:30 p.m. before hosting Angelo State on Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. for Rep the Rose.
After road contests at Sul Ross State and Western New Mexico, the Patriots return home for a four-game stretch beginning Jan. 14 against St. Mary's for Hawaiian Night. UT Tyler will host St. Edward's on Jan. 16 for 80's Night before welcoming Eastern New Mexico on Jan. 28 for Blue Out and West Texas A&M on Jan. 30 for Youth Day and Diaper Derby.
The Patriots will continue their February home slate on Feb. 6 against Texas Woman's at 1 p.m. for Pats for a Cause. Following road games at Oklahoma Christian, Cameron and Texas Woman's, UT Tyler will close the regular season at home on Feb. 20 against UT Dallas at 1 p.m. for Senior Day and Faculty Appreciation.
UT Tyler's home promotional schedule includes:
Nov. 20 vs. Texas A&M-Texarkana – Elementary School Game
Dec. 3 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville – Holiday Hoopla / UT Health East Texas Night
Dec. 5 vs. Texas A&M International – Military / First Responder Appreciation
Jan. 3 vs. Angelo State – Rep the Rose
Jan. 14 vs. St. Mary's – Hawaiian Night
Jan. 16 vs. St. Edward's – 80's Night
Jan. 28 vs. Eastern New Mexico – Blue Out
Jan. 30 vs. West Texas A&M – Youth Day / Diaper Derby
Feb. 6 vs. Texas Woman's – Pats for a Cause
Feb. 20 vs. UT Dallas – Senior Day / Faculty Appreciation
The Patriots will close the regular season with road contests at Texas A&M International on Feb. 25 and Texas A&M-Kingsville on Feb. 27.
The Lone Star Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 4-7 in Frisco, followed by the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals from March 12-15. The NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Finals are scheduled for March 22-26 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
UT Tyler enters the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on another successful season under Alvidrez. The Patriots finished 22-11 overall and 16-4 in Lone Star Conference play in 2025-26, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Semifinals. The 2025-26 season also produced several individual honors, including Lone Star Conference Sixth Woman of the Year honors for Mariah Neal, All-Lone Star Conference Second Team selections for Leila Davis and Polina Latysheva, and Honorable Mention recognition for Hayley Cumming. Davis and Cumming were also named to the LSC Freshman Team, while Mileina Sablinskaite and Latysheva earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honors. With a challenging nonconference schedule that includes trips to Washington and Hawaii, a full Lone Star Conference slate and a strong home schedule at the Herrington Patriot Center, UT Tyler will look to continue its rise under Alvidrez and make another push toward postseason success in 2026-27.
