Thursday, December 7, 2017

ABILENE – The UT Tyler men’s basketball team had its unbeaten streak to start the season end at six after an 88-85 loss at Hardin-Simmons on Thursday in an American Southwest Conference game at the Mabee Complex.

The Patriot (6-1, 1-1 ASC) trailed by as many as 11 early in the first half but battled back to take the game to halftime tied at 41 with back-to-back baskets from Emeka Obukwelu. The game remained tight through 10 minutes of the second half before the Cowboys (2-5, 2-1 ASC) found themselves with a 10-point lead with 2:15 remaining and once again with 1:38 to play. The Patriots, who are now 4-1 on the road and off to the best start in program history, cut it to seven with shots from Josh Tatum and Skyler Hadden and it was 82-77 with 43 seconds to play with another Obukwelu basket.

Johnell Lane would make things interesting for the Patriots by hitting a 3-poiter with 35 seconds on the clock to cut it to four and then another with 7 seconds, but HSU was making its free throws and would hold on for the win.

Melvin Anthony led the Patriots with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Obukwelu was 8-for-12 from the field and scored 17 points to go along with five rebounds. Lane, who came in as a reserve, hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points for the patriots and Tatum had 11 points and was credited with two assists. Skyler Hadden gave UT Tyler five double-figure scorers with 10 points and Chase Mason added six.

UT Tyler finished the game shooting 47.9 percent from the field, but struggled on 3-pointers by going 6-for-29 from beyond the arc. HSU made eight 3-pointers and 22 free throws in its win, while the Patriots were 11-for-16 from the free-throw line. Caleb Spoon led HSU with 20 points and six rebounds and Joe Hoeup added 19 points.

The Patriots will return to action at 4 p.m. on Saturday against McMurry at the Kimbrell Arena in Abilene before returning to East Texas where the student-athletes will take final exams next week before hosting Mary Hardin-Baylor at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Herrington Patriot Center.

FINAL: Hardin-Simmons 88, @uttylermbb 85

The Patriots (6-1, 1-1 ASC) take their first loss of the season and will look to get back in the win column against McMurry on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Abilene.

Stat Leaders
Anthony: 19 pts., 10 reb.
Obukwelu: 17 pts.
Lane: 17 pts.

— UT Tyler Patriots (@uttylerpatriots) December 8, 2017