TYLER -- The UT Tyler men's basketball team lost to UT Dallas, 64-54, on Thursday night at the Herrington Patriot Center on "Cram the Court" night in front of nearly 850 fans.

The Patriots drop to 7-17 overall and 6-13 in American Southwest Conference play. UT Dallas improves to 20-4 and 15-4 in league action. 

The Comets ran out in front 7-0 early and never let go of the lead from the 14:57 mark in the first half. In the first half, the Patriots shot 34.6- percent from the field to UT Dallas' 54.5- percent. The Patriots were behind the Comets, 32-22, at the intermission.

The second half was much of the same, as the Patriots would fight back within single digits before UT Dallas would pull away, and ultimately earning the victory, 64-54. 

Leading scorer for UT Tyler was Larry Carpenter, who registered 12 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the field. Lance Murphy scored 11 points in 22 minutes and Darren Houliston recorded 10 points and six rebounds. Brandon LeVine also contributed seven points.

UT Tyler, with hopes of making the postseason, will return to the court for the last home game of the season on Saturday afternoon when they host Ozarks on senior day at 3 p.m.