PINEVILLE, La. – The UT Tyler men’s basketball team jumped out to an early lead and held on for a 70-59 win over Louisiana College in American Southwest Conference men’s basketball Thursday night.

The Patriots (6-13, 5-10) avenged a 75-70 home loss to the Wildcats last week and, more importantly, gave themselves a small cushion in the ASC standings.

UT Tyler went up by 18 in the first half and LC (6-11, 6-9 ASC), despite pulling within nine several times in the second half, was unable to close the gap.

On the back of a 16-point, 20-rebound double-double by Darren Houliston and a game-high 22 points from Brandon Levine, UT Tyler outscored LC 30-20 in the first half and 40-39 in the second. The Patriots outrebounded the Wildcats 52-43 on the night.

LC trailed 25-7 in the first half but mounted a spirited comeback through the next 20-plus minutes of game time.

The Patriots play at Mississippi College on Saturday.