by Jeff Clark

TYLER – The UT Tyler Patriot men’s basketball team won a thriller on Saturday afternoon, 58-57, against Mississippi College.

The victory improves the Patriots’ season record to 6-13 and keeps them in the hunt in the American Southwest Conference with a record of 5-10. Mississippi College drops to 4-13 and 3-11 in league play.

Brandon LeVine led all scorers with 19 points and also contributed three rebounds, three assists, and went a perfect three-for-three from the foul line.

LeVine scored the first eight points for the Patriots in the first half, as UT Tyler jumped to quick 8-0 lead over the Choctaws. The Patriots had the lead at 17-13, until Mississippi College fought back and re-gained the lead at 20-18 with about seven minutes left until intermission.

The scoring was back and forth the rest of the first half, as UT Tyler held the 39-38 lead.

The story in the second half was the Patriots improved shooting, as the Choctaw offense went cold. UT Tyler shot 40-percent from the field and 75-percent from the free throw line.

However, as was the case in most of the game, both teams were relentless in fighting back. With about 3 minutes left in the game, the Choctaws held the 51-49 edge, but a quick three-point strike by LeVine put the Patriots on top, 52-51. The lead would not change again, as UT Tyler held for the 58-57 victory.

Darren Houliston recorded nine points and 10 rebounds, while Lance Murphy registered eight points. Billy Hopson and Larry Carpenter also contributed eight points and seven points, respectively.

UT Tyler will now head out on the road to play Louisiana College on Thursday night in Pineville at 7:30 p.m.