TYLER – The UT Tyler men’s basketball team lost, 75-70, to Louisiana College in front of 600- plus at the Herrington Patriot Center on Thursday night.

The loss drops the Patriots to 5-13 overall and 4-10 in American Southwest Conference play. The Wildcats move to 6-9 and 6-7 in conference action.

Darren Houliston and Jacob McDonald led the Patriots with 14 points each. Houliston also registered eight rebounds and two steals.

The story of the first half was the cold shooting displayed by both teams as UT Tyler shot 31-percent from the field to Louisiana College’s 41-percent. It was a defensive struggle as the score at the intermission was 37-29.

The second half was a different story offensively, as both found their offensive stride. The Patriots found themselves down, 54-50, with about 10 minutes left to play until aggressive play and hot shooting led by McDonald and Brandon LeVine brought UT Tyler to within two at 61-59 with five minutes left.

The Patriots and Wildcats traded buckets down the stretch, as Louisiana College pulled away with the 75-70 victory.

LeVine recorded 10 points, while Billy Hopson and Lance Murphy each scored nine points each. Hopson was three of five from three-point range.

The Patriots out rebounded the Wildcats, 38-34, and made 14 of 17 free throws.

UT Tyler returns to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Mississippi College at 3 pm at the Herrington Patriot Center.