#8 DBU (22-4, 16-4) vs. UT Tyler (3-23, 2-18) 
February 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Tyler, TX| Louise Herrington Patriot Center
March 2 | 2:00 p.m. | Dallas, Texas | Burg Center

MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE
Video: LSC Digital Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @DBUBasketball
Facebook: DBU Athletics


COUNTDOWN TO TIP-OFF
On Saturday afternoon, the eighth-ranked DBU fell 97-88 at the Burg Center. The Patriots were led by Cameron Kahn, who scored 22 points and was followed in double-figures by Ricky Lujan (21), Ta'Jay Dunlap (13), and Austin Garner (11). 

Cameron Kahn opened the game's scoring with a layup assisted by a steal from David Bradley. The Patriots opened a 10-2 run after a steal by Austin Garner led to a Ricky Lujan layup, forcing an early timeout from UTPB at 19:00. UTPB got on the board with a jumper at 17:57 before jumpers from Ta'Jay Dunlap, and Lajuan pushed DBU's lead to 15-8 just before the first media timeout of the game. UTPB brought on a defensive streak as they took advantage of the Patriots' fouls and tied it up 15 apiece with 13:51 left in the first half. DBU quickly extended their lead to 23-18 after two Trevor Frank three-point jumpers and an Issac Bullard layup. 

The Falcons cut the lead to 1, 30-29, with just under nine minutes on the clock until  Khan connected on his shot from inside the paint. UTPB used a quick 9-2 run to take their first lead of the game, 34-32, at 6:42, leaving DBU without any field goals in the last 3:48. The Falcons' momentum remained as they opened a 13-3 run and led, 42-35, at the final media timeout of the half. Breaking the Falcons' defensive pressure, a Garner three-pointer put DBU back in the running. At the half, UTPB held the lead 45-40. 

UTPB's deficit fluctuated between six and eight as both teams entered a back-and-forth points battle in the first four minutes of the second half, with the Patriots trailing 56-48 at the 15:58 mark. A brief 6-0 burst by DBU courtesy of Justin Haire, Dunlap, and Lujan cut the Falcon's lead to just three, 63-60, with just over 11 minutes to play. Garner leveled the score 65-65 with his third three-point jumper at 10:40. A layup from Kahn gave DBU the lead, 67-65, until the lead was traded back to UTPB, killing the Patriots' momentum with a three-point jumper. Following a charging foul on Kahn, the two teams traded baskets, 76-71, until the media timeout was called at 6:29.

Taking advantage of UTPB's fouls, DBU was able to trim the Falcon's lead to two, 81-79, with free throws, a Dunlap jumper, and 3:49 left in the game. The Patriots' streak didn't last long, as UTPB was able to extend their lead back to eighth, 89-81, forcing DBU to call a timeout. The Patriots could not level the score, eventually dropping the contest 97-88. 

On Thursday, the Patriots will travel to Tyler, TX, to face UT Tyler. Following the game on Thursday, DBU will travel home to the Burg Center to finish out the series against UT Tyler.


PATRIOT STORYLINES 
- DBU is ranked as high as No. 12 in the NABC Coaches Poll and is ranked in all three national polls. 
- DBU ranks first in the LSC and ninth in the nation in steals, averaging 10.9 per game. The Patriots lead the conference and rank sixth in the nation for scoring offenses (92.8).  
- Defensively, DBU ranks first in the LSC and fifth in the nation in turnovers forced per game (21.13).
- Cameron Kahn leads the conference in points (334) and field goals (132). Khan was recently named on Bevo Francis's Top 50 Watch List. 
- Ricky Lujan ranks second in the conference in steals (30) and third for his assist/turnover ratio (2.60).
- Ta'Jay Dunlap also ranks second in the conference in steals (30).

SCOUTING UT TYLER
- UT Tyler lost to Angelo State, 64-47, in their 18th conference defeat. 
- The Patriots are ranked fourth in the conference for scoring defense (72).
- UT Tyler ranks fifth in the conference in blocks per game (3.1).
- Alec Zambie leads UT Tyler in rebounds (148) and assist (83).
- Bryce Roberts leads the Patriots in points (326) and offensive rebounds (35). 
- Juan Pablo Camargo leads UT Tyler in blocks (28), and Terrell Wilson leads in steals (27).


SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots lead the all-time series 4-1. DBU defeated UT Tyler 92-78 in their last matchup on February 25, 2023. This will be their sixth match-up since the Patriots defeated the Patriots 69-60 on December 21, 2019. 


UP NEXT
The Patriots will travel to the Burg Center to face UT Tyler on March 2 for their final conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.