Patriots surge in second half to top Oklahoma Christian

UT Tyler used a momentum-shifting run and dominant shooting to pull away for a 76-64 victory.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The UT Tyler Patriots overcame an early deficit with a strong second-half performance, surging past Oklahoma Christian 76-64 in a Valentine's Day matchup. The Patriots used a key run and improved shooting after the break to secure the home victory.

Why it matters

This win continues UT Tyler's strong season and keeps them in contention for a top spot in their conference. The Patriots showed resilience in battling back from an early hole, demonstrating the team's ability to make adjustments and close out close games.

The details

UT Tyler fell behind 21-13 midway through the first half, but closed the period strong to trail by just four at the break. The Patriots then opened the second half on a 9-2 run to take the lead, sparked by baskets from Noah Suarjaya and Kyle Morgan. UT Tyler continued to pull away, with Morgan and Sean Emfinger each hitting multiple three-pointers to extend the advantage to double digits. Oklahoma Christian made a late push to trim the deficit, but the Patriots sealed the win at the free throw line.

  • The Patriots trailed 21-13 with just over 10 minutes left in the first half.
  • UT Tyler closed the first half on a run to trail 35-31 at the break.
  • The Patriots opened the second half on a 9-2 run to take the lead.
  • UT Tyler extended their advantage to double digits in the second half.

The players

Noah Suarjaya

A UT Tyler player who scored an early basket to help the Patriots tie the game at 6-6.

Sam Phipps

A UT Tyler player who anchored the paint with 8 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards.

Chris Carpenter

A UT Tyler player who knocked down a three-pointer in the first half to help keep the Patriots within striking distance.

Sean Emfinger

The game's leading scorer with 26 points, shooting 8-of-21 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 at the free throw line.

Kyle Morgan

A UT Tyler player who scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, connecting on 4 three-pointers and all 4 of his free throw attempts.

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What’s next

The Patriots host Dallas Baptist on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

The takeaway

UT Tyler showed resilience in battling back from an early deficit, demonstrating the team's ability to make adjustments and close out close games. The Patriots' balanced scoring and defensive intensity were key factors in securing the Valentine's Day home victory.