UpHill Struggle!!!....

ALPINE, Texas -- A baseline jumper by UT Tyler’s Patrick Branche in the closing seconds of play lifted the Patriots to a 49-48 ASC win over Sul Ross at the Gallego Center Thursday evening. Fili Torres was the only Lobo in double figures with 10 points while Ricky Aguilar and Roderick Gunter led rebounders with 4 boards each in the effort. Sully finished at 40 percent shooting against Tyler and had a 3 for 7 slump from the foul stripe at 43 percent. The Lobos converted 3 of 15 shots from long range or 20 percent. Branche led scorers and rebounders for Tyler with his double double 21 points and 14 boards. Anthony Reese supplied 10 points while Jeff Cotton took 11 rebounds as the Patriots finished at 31 percent from the field. Tyler was cold from long distance hitting only 1 of 16 game total 3-point shots. UTT won the rebound battle with 48 team boards while holding Sul Ross to 33. The Patriots hit the pedal early on a 9-0 sprint. Tyler went on to sport a pair of 2-point leads before Sully narrowed the margin to 4, trailing 24-20 at intermission. Sul Ross closed the gap and took the go ahead in the second off a jumper by Jermaine Packer and the Lobos on top 33-31. Sully climbed to two, 7-point advantages before Tyler shut down the Lobo shooting game and closed the spread to a point trailing 48-47 with 2:29 left in the game. Missed field goals and free throws coupled with a turnover by Sully set the stage for Branche’s game winning shot in the closing seconds of regulation as the Patriots escaped with the 49-48 victory. Sully falls to 3-7 and 2-4 while Tyler goes to 4-6 and 3-2. Sul Ross will take on UT Dallas in a 3:00 p.m. ASC match Saturday at the Gallego Center.