TYLER, TX — The WNMU Mustangs (0-12, 0-6 Lone Star) faced a tough matchup against UT Tyler (9-6, 5-1 Lone Star), falling 83-44 at the Herrington Patriot Center. The Patriots took advantage of 25 turnovers to secure the win.

The Mustangs started strong, with Natalie Magallnes hitting a 3-pointer just 26 seconds into the game, assisted by Jordan Sapien (El Paso, TX/Pebble Hills High School), to take the lead. Teeya Gordon (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo High School) tied it up at 5-5 with a fast-break layup. However, the tide turned as UT Tyler capitalized on several Mustang turnovers, pulling ahead. Despite a late 3-pointer by Magallnes, the Mustangs were down 23-12 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Western NM struggle with possession, committing seven turnovers. Sapien's jumper at 7:23 and a 3-pointer from Cieara Dinwiddie (Porter, TX/Porter High School) at 6:14 kept the Mustangs fighting. Gordon's late tip-in and a defensive rebound at the buzzer ended the half with the Mustangs trailing 41-21.

In the third quarter, the Mustangs couldn't find their groove despite Sapien's playmaking. Tess Taylor (Huffman, TX/Hargrave High School) added six points, including a 3-pointer at 3:40, but the Mustangs only managed 13 points in the quarter. UT Tyler's sharp shooting, led by Leila Davis, extended their lead to 67-34.

The Mustangs found some rhythm in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a key 3-pointer from Taylor, assisted by Sapien, at 7:40, cutting the deficit to 71-39. Despite the effort, turnovers continued to plague the Mustangs. Magallnes added a defensive spark with a steal at 6:07, but UT Tyler's scoring in the paint widened the gap, sealing the 83-44 win.

Sapien contributed eight assists and three steals, playing a crucial role on both ends. Taylor scored 10 points, going 4-for-7 from the field with two 3-pointers. Magallnes added nine points and three steals, showing her two-way impact. Gordon chipped in with eight rebounds and eight points, anchoring the team under the basket.

For UT Tyler, Davis led with 21 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and added five assists. KK Bass scored 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting with three steals. Mileina Sablinskaite also scored 13, converting six of eight shots and adding four assists. Polina Latysheva contributed two steals and three assists with five points, while Mariah Neal added five points and three steals, boosting their defense.

The Mustangs are now 0-12 overall and 0-6 in Lone Star play. Meanwhile, the Patriots improve to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the conference.

Next up, Western New Mexico heads to Denton, Texas, for a matchup against Texas Woman's. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 10, at 12 p.m.
 

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (X, TikTok & Instagram).