Next Game:
Lubbock Christian
1/22/2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 (Thu) / 7:30 p.m.
Lubbock Christian
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The UT Tyler men’s basketball team delivered one of its most resilient performances of the season on Saturday night, rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit to knock off receiving-votes St. Mary’s, 61–60, inside Bill Greehey Arena. Trailing for nearly the entire contest, the Patriots flipped the script over the final nine minutes, outscoring the Rattlers 21–8 down the stretch and capping the comeback with a clutch free throw from Sam Phipps with two seconds remaining to seal the dramatic Lone Star Conference road win.
The opening half was controlled largely by St. Mary’s, as UT Tyler struggled to find offensive rhythm early. The Rattlers opened the game on a 9–0 run and later extended the margin behind efficient interior scoring and second-chance points, building leads of 14 and then 19 midway through the half. UT Tyler showed flashes of life with baskets from Hudson Anderson, Gregory Fowlds, and Boston Caldwell, but St. Mary’s continued to apply pressure, pushing the lead to as many as 20 at the 2:58 mark following a three-pointer. Despite the deficit, the Patriots closed the half with momentum, sparked by Sam Phipps in the paint and a late fast-break three from Sean Emfinger at the buzzer, trimming the halftime margin to 38–26 and giving UT Tyler a needed spark heading into the locker room.
The Patriots carried that energy into the second half, opening with improved defensive intensity and transition offense. Early steals by Hudson Anderson and Jacob Bell led to quick buckets from Xavier Williams and John Barbee, cutting the deficit to single digits within the first three minutes. Still, St. Mary’s answered with timely free throws and perimeter shooting to keep UT Tyler at bay, rebuilding the lead to 15 at the 9:38 mark. Facing a 52–37 deficit with under ten minutes to play, UT Tyler dug in defensively, forcing turnovers and stringing together stops that shifted the momentum of the game.
From the 5:19 mark on, the Patriots took complete control. Kyle Morgan knocked down a key three to spark a run, and moments later Phipps ignited the bench with back-to-back fast-break finishes, cutting the deficit to four. After another defensive stand, Phipps threw down consecutive dunks to tie the game at 55–55 with 3:33 remaining, completing a decisive 18–3 run that stunned the home crowd. The 55–55 score marked the first time the game had been tied since the opening tip. St. Mary’s briefly regained the lead on a shot-clock-expiring three, but Emfinger answered with a clutch layup before burying a go-ahead three at the top of the key with 55 seconds remaining to give UT Tyler its first lead of the night.
The final seconds were pure drama. After St. Mary’s tied the game at the line with 33 seconds left, UT Tyler ran clock and put the ball in the hands of Phipps. Fouled with just two seconds remaining, the senior calmly stepped to the line and knocked down the second of two free throws to push the Patriots ahead, 61–60. A final heave attempt by the Rattlers came up empty, securing the victory and completing UT Tyler’s impressive comeback.
The win marked UT Tyler’s largest comeback of the season and moved the Patriots to 1–1 on the week. Senior Sam Phipps led the charge with 17 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Sean Emfinger played a key role in the comeback with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. The Patriots head back home next week for matchups against No. 5 Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State, beginning with a 7:30 p.m. tip against the Chaps on January 22 for Hawaiian Night inside the Herrington Patriot Center.
Hawaiian Night will feature a student tailgate prior to the game, a Hawaiian shirt giveaway, and a performance by the ZOOperstars at halftime of the men’s game.