THE RUNDOWN

The No. 10 ranked DBU Patriots (27-4, 19-3) defeated UT Tyler (8-20, 5-17) by a 17-point margin on Thursday night to conclude the regular season. The Patriots celebrated Senior Night, honoring Cameron Kahn, Ricky Lujan, Isaac Bullard, and Graham Kroll pregame. With tonight's victory, DBU has won the Lone Star Conference regular season title for the first time in program history. 27 wins is also a program record.

Senior Graham Kroll got the party started in The Burg Center draining a corner three to open the scoring before the floodgates opened for both sides. The Patriots rattled off an 11-0 run in the first four minutes of the game, prompting an early timeout from UT Tyler. Before too long, UT Tyler would explode for a 16-0 run of their own to claim the lead and make it a 16-22 ballgame. Junior Goodlet would put an end to DBU's six-minute scoring drought with a three, and the Patriots eventually clawed their way back in front, 27-26, with 5:50 left in the first half. DBU would grow their lead through the remainder of the first half, highlighted by an Xavion Brown converted alley-oop from Ricky Lujan. The Patriots would take a 45-34 lead into the half.

Lujan had a very strong first half, popping off for 21 points, three rebounds, and two assists in the opening 20 minutes. No other Patriot had more than five points in the first half (Junior Goodlet).

The Patriots would cruise to a double-digit victory in the second half thanks in part to accumulating 31 free throw attempts in the second half. Cameron Kahn led the Patriots in scoring in the second half with 12 points, followed closely by Lujan's nine and Drew Calderon's seven. Lujan, Kahn, and Calderon would also bring down five rebounds each in the latter 20 minutes. Lujan's eight rebounds tonight were a season-high.
 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

- Ricky Lujan's 30-point effort tonight left him one tally shy of tying his career-high of 31 points.

- The Patriots finished +5 in the offensive rebound department tonight (15-10).

- UT Tyler's Dontre Hewlett posted a 32-point double-double, hauling in 12 rebounds. 
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

9 - Different Patriots recorded at least one assist tonight.

17 - Ricky Lujan attempted 17 free throws tonight (15-17), a season high.

26 - Both teams forced 26 turnovers tonight.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW 

COMING UP NEXT

Tonight concluded the regular season. Patriot hoops will turn their attention to the Lone Star Conference Tournament, beginning March 7th. First-round matchups are to be announced.