Men’s Basketball Grinds Out Sixth Win In A Row
February 14, 2008

LONGVIEW, Texas--The University of Texas at Tyler men’s basketball team picked up its sixth straight win in a key American Southwest Conference East contest on Thursday night, 82-78, at LeTourneau. The six game win streak ties the longest winning streak in program history, which occurred during the 2004-2005 season.

In what could be termed an “instant classic,” both teams left everything thing on the court after a very fast and aggressive forty minutes of play. In all, the game saw nine lead changes and eight ties. Neither team enjoyed larger than a seven point lead throughout a game that saw 20 total players take the court. In the second half, the Patriots would take over the lead with 10:28 to play and despite the YellowJackets’ best efforts it would be the final lead change of the game. However, in the end it would be the clutch free throw shooting of senior Brandon Weasby (Houston, Texas) that would seal the win for UT Tyler, as he went 6-for-6 from the line in the game’s final three minutes.

Weasby led all scorers with a season-high 29 points, going 7-for-10 from the field, 5-for-6 from behind the arch and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Junior Larry Ware (San Antonio, Texas) followed Weasby with 10 points of his own. In all, 10 players recorded points for the Patriots. UT Tyler, who shot 53.7 percent from the floor as a team, is now 7-0 on the year when it shoots 50 percent or better. Junior Dewones Smith (Union Church, Miss.) and sophomore J.J. Rockmore (Longview, Texas) led LeTourneau with 16 points each.

With the win the Patriots advance to 12-10 on the year and 11-6 in the ASC East, while LeTourneau falls to 10-12 overall and 7-10 in league play.

UT Tyler will return to the Herrington Patriot Center on Saturday for its final home game of the season, taking on East Texas Baptist. The women will tip-off at 1 p.m. and the men will follow at 3 p.m. Seniors from both Patriot basketball teams will be honored between the two games.

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