Patriots Cruise Past Tigers; Take Over First Place
January 24, 2008

MARSHALL, Texas---The University of Texas at Tyler women’s basketball team took over sole possession of first place the East Division of the American Southwest Conference by beating East Texas Baptist, 90-67, on Thursday night in Marshall.

In the first half, ETBU was able to take an early lead, but it would not last.  With 15:30 left in the stanza, the Patriots took the lead and from that point on would never relinquish it.  However, despite being down by as many as 26 points, the Tigers would not go quietly.   East Texas would use a 19-4 run to cut the lead to just 11 points midway through the second half.  Later in the half, the Patriots would use a 19-8 run of their own to quell the uprising and put away the Tigers for good.

UT Tyler freshman Melissa Thomas (Austin, Texas) went 5-for-12 from behind the arch, as she scored a game high 23 points.  Sophomore Becky Taylor (New Caney, Texas) posted another solid game for her team as she followed Thomas with 14 points of her own.  Senior Kasey Buggs (Lake Dallas, Texas) scored 12 to round out the Patriots in double digits.  Freshman Marci Trogus (Houston, Texas) had a game-high 10 rebounds for the Patriots, while sophomore Alyssa Ploof had another game-high of eight assists.  Sophomore Dana Alexander (Ft. Worth, Texas) led ETBU with 16 points.

The win advances UT Tyler to 9-7 overall and 6-5 in ASC East play, while East Texas Baptist falls to 6-9 on the year and 5-6 in conference action.

The Patriots will return to East Division action on Saturday when they host LeTourneau at the Herrington Patriot Center.  Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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