TYLER, Texas – The UT Tyler men’s basketball team defeated the Howard Payne University Yellow Jackets 88-82 Saturday afternoon at the Herrington Patriot Center.
UT Tyler led, 12-11, to begin the game, but an 8-0 run by Howard Payne put the Yellow Jackets up 19-12 with just under 12 minutes to play in the half.
The Patriots only committed four turnovers in the first half and built a 40-35 lead at halftime.
UT Tyler started a 20-5 run to give the Patriots a 32-24 lead with 4:56 remaining until halftime.
Howard Payne trailed by eight, but on the last possession of the half Donovan Gardner, who scored 16 first half points, hit a three from the corner to put the Yellow Jackets within five at the break
UT Tyler extended their lead to 16 with eight minutes to play, but the Yellow Jackets fought their way back and made it a five point game with 1:33 left on a three by Henry Valladares.
UT Tyler turned the ball over on the next possession and Valladares made a layup off an inbound pass to cut the lead to three.
The Patriots held an 84-77 lead with 36 ticks on the clock. Murphy made a defensive rebound but was called for an intentional foul for throwing an elbow. Joshua Dada stepped to the line and made both free throws to cut the Patriots lead to five.
UT Tyler made two free shots on the next possession, but Quentin Calloway knocked a three with 17 seconds left to make it an 86-82 game.
UT Tyler knocked down two more free throws after the Quentin three, and a steal by UT Tyler sealed the game for the Patriots.
Murphy finished the game with 25 points to lead the Patriots. Levin posted 20 points, followed by Chris Carter’s 17 points.
Donovan Gardner led Howard Payne with 25 points. Calloway recorded 19 points and five steals. Brandon Irwin finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Kanyon Payne also grabbed a team high eight rebounds.
The Jackets fall to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play. UT Tyler improves to 4-6, 3-3 in ASC action.
Howard Payne will travel to Longview to play LeTouneau University on Monday at 7:30 pm.
