Women’s Basketball Wins East Division, Will Host Tourney
February 21, 2008

PINEVILLE, La. -- The University of Texas at Tyler women’s basketball team won its third American Southwest Conference East Division Championship Thursday, scoring a 74-64 victory over Louisiana College at H.O. West Fieldhouse.

The victory avenged UT Tyler’s only ASC East loss of the season and, more importantly, means the Patriots will host the eight-team ASC Women’s Championship Tournament next weekend at the Herrington Patriot Center. By virtue of winning the division, the Patriots will be the No. 1 seed from the East and face the West’s No. 4 seed, either Concordia or Mary Hardin-Baylor, in the quarterfinal round.

This is the first year the Patriots are eligible to compete in the conference tournament, having completed the four-year NCAA provisional membership period in August.

Leading 39-28 at the half, the Patriots let LC get as close as four late in the second half but seven straight made free-throws gave UT Tyler breathing room.

Freshman Melissa Thomas led the Patriots with 21 points, including 12 points from the charity stripe. Kasey Buggs added 16 points and eight rebounds. Becky Taylor and Lindsay Eaton also scored in double-digits, with 12 and 10, respectively.

The Patriots shot 49.1 percent from the field on the night, going 26 of 53.

The win moves UT Tyler to 17-7 overall and 14-5 in the ASC. LC is now 15-9 (11-8) and sits in a three-way tie for second place in the division with UT Dallas and Mississippi College.

UT Tyler’s final regular-season game is Saturday at Mississippi College.

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