TYLER -- The UT Tyler Patriots have something to be thankful for on Thursday! Stephan Tarpley's first shot of the game was a buzzer-beater that lifted the UT Tyler men to a 59-58 win over Austin College in the Patriots' home opener before 450 fans on Wednesday night at the Herrington Patriot Center.
As time expired, Tarpley picked up a loose ball and buried a shot from right side of the lane that floated into the basket. As fans stormed the court, game officials reviewed video of the play to confirm that the shot was good.
The win evens UT Tyler record on the young season to 1-1 and avenges the Patriots' season opening loss to Austin College. It also gives the men momentum headed into their American Southwest Conference opener on Saturday against Hardin-Simmons in Abilene.
The 'Roos' Josh Saunders knocked down a free throw with the game tied and eight seconds to play and, after missing the second free throw, Larry Carpenter ran the ball up court and called a timeout with nine seconds remaining.
Austin College poked the ball away after the inbound pass, but Tarpley managed to recover it and score to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Jacob McDonald led all players with 19 points for UT Tyler. Lance Murphy recorded 13 on the night for the Patriots while Darren Houliston added another 10.
UT Tyler took an early 7-4 lead after a three-pointer by Lance Murphy, but Austin College stiffened up their defense and scored four-straight baskets to take a 13-7 lead with 13:28 left in the first half.
McDonald, who scored 11 points in the first half, heated up for the Patriots with three straight baskets and tied the game on back-to-back possessions at 23-23 with 6:27 remaining.
The Patriots took the lead on their next possession on a baseline jumper by Tucker. UT Tyler proceeded to build an eight-point lead on shots by Darren Houliston, Spencer Terry and Murphy, which prompted a timeout by Austin College.
Tucker kept the Patriots' offensive momentum going with his second score of the game, following the 'Roos timeout to give UT Tyler a 10-point lead and the Patriots finished the half on a 13-5 run to take a 36-28 lead into the break.
The Patriots shot 56.5 percent from the floor and held Austin College to 35.5 percent from the floor.
Austin College opened the second half on a 9-1 run to tie the game at 37. Ransom Okpala buried a three-point shot from the left wing with 15:48 left to even the score. The 'Roos then took a 43-39 lead on a three-straight baskets from Antoine Thompson.
Both teams traded shots over the next three minutes, but a three-point shot by Murphy cut Austin College's lead to one with nine minutes to play. Houliston then evened the score at 51 with 6:15 to play on a three from the top of the arc.
Austin College held a two-point lead with less than a minute left in regulation and, after a 'Roos miss, Tarpley was fouled battling for a rebound. He stepped to the free throw line with 28 seconds to play and knocked down two free throws to tie the game at 57-57.
The 'Roos regained the lead on the next possession on a free throw by Saunders that set-up the last second play for the Patriots.
Saunders led Austin College with 18 points and seven rebounds. Thompson followed with 11 points for the 'Roos, who fall to 2-3 on the year.
The Patriots head west to Abilene this weekend to begin American Southwest Conference play against Hardin-Simmons and McMurry before returning home Dec. 1 to face Concordia.
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Basketball Plays - Duke Inbounds Playby CoachRoger0135,472 views
STEPHAN TARPLEY is the by far the greatest player in UT TYLER history and unarguably one of the greatest basketball players of ALL-TIME. FOR SURE top 6 greatest to ever play along side Oscar Robertson, Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
nyankeesuckballs 2 months ago