Box Score

ALPINE, Texas- Caleb Thomasson (Ackerly/Sands) scored a season best 31 points and pulled down 14 rebounds but the Lobos were unable to overcome a frigid first half shooting performance as U.T. Tyler (4-2, 1-0 ASC) pulled away for a 63-61 conference-opening win over Sul Ross (1-4, 0-1 ASC) at the Gallego Center Thursday night.

Thursday's setback marks the second straight game Sully has lost by the same margin following a 63-61 defeat to visiting Schreiner on Tuesday.

The Lobos will close out their four-game home stand Saturday against LeTourneau University at 3:00 p.m.

The Patriots launched a 4-0 run to start the game and broke out to an 11-point, 14-3 lead with 12:03 left in the first half.

U.T. Tyler would hold its largest lead of 13 as the Patriots' Tyler Jacobs scored on a jumper from the paint at 5:45.

The Lobos pulled to within eight as Damien Rhodriquez (San Antonio/John Jay) converted from short range at the 1:02 mark.

Following a pair of free throws by U.T.T's Davis Moore Rhodriquez scored the final point of the half on the first of two foul shots at 19 seconds as the Patriots held a 29-20 lead at the break.

Sully assembled a 6-0 run over the first five minutes of the second half as Isaiah Tillman (Lubbock/Frenship) sank two free throws for a 33-32 Lobo deficit.

A fast break layup by Brock Anders (Keller/KHS) put the home team ahead, 36-35 at 12:20.

Moore bingoed from long range at 11:11 swinging the favor back to U.T. Tyler, 43-41.

C.J. Ross (Austin/Akins) then converted from the paint to tie the contest at 43.

Tillman and Anders split a pair of layups to knot the game and give Sully a 47-45 advantage with 8:53 left in regulation.

Anders spread the gap to four off a jumper in the paint at 8:01 for a 49-45 Lobo lead.

Sul Ross would hold the lead over the next two minutes before the Patriots' Alan Long made two free throws to tie the outing at 52.

Thomasson broke the stalemate three possessions later with two foul shots for a 54-52 lead for the home team.

The game came down to two free throws.

Jordan Francis converted an old school three-pointer with a layup to tie the game and was sent to the stripe where he nailed his free throw for a 62-61 U.T.T. lead at 1:26.

A Lobo turnover and foul then sent Jovan Yancy to the line for a converted free throw at 31 seconds which stretched to the 63-61 Patriot victory.

Anders and Ross posted 10 points each in the effort.

Anders converted the only three-pointer of the night for the Lobos.