TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler men’s basketball team used solid defense and aggressive play to defeat Texas Lutheran, 81-72, Saturday afternoon at the Herrington Patriot Center.

The win pushed the Patriots’ season record to 4-8, while improving in American Southwest Conference play with a record of 3-6. The Bulldogs drop to 6-7 overall and 5-4 in league play.

Darren Houliston once again led the way for the Patriots, earning his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

The Patriots shot 52.1% from the field, while shooting a steady 35.7% from beyond the arc. Larry Carpenter led the way in three-pointers with two, while Lance Murphy,Brandon LeVine, and Houliston all added one.

The first half was controlled by UT Tyler as they held a 39-24 edge over the Bulldogs before a 10-0 run pushed Texas Lutheran back within five at the half, 39-34.

The second half started with the Patriots opening up a double digit lead within the first five minutes, a lead they would not relinquish. UT Tyler outscored TLU, 42-38 in the second half.

LeVine scored a game high 19 points, while Carpenter and Jacob McDonald contributed 17 and 10 points, respectively.

The Patriots will now head on the road to Longview to face LeTourneau on Monday night.