TYLER, Texas (Dec. 18, 2021) – In recent years, Oklahoma Christian often has played its best basketball against ranked opponents, but in the Eagles' first opportunity this season against a top-25 foe, the upset magic unfortunately wasn't there.

No. 25 Texas-Tyler shot a healthy 49 percent from the field, took advantage of OC's early shooting woes to build a double-digit halftime lead and gradually pulled away for a 77-54 win on Saturday in a nonconference game between the Lone Star Conference foes at the Louise Herrington Patriot Center.

The Patriots, coming off their first loss of the season two days earlier, had four players score in double figures, led by Micah Fuller, who had 15 points. They limited OC to just one double-figure scorer, Karlyn Kenner, who scored 12 points. OC (3-7) shot 34.6 percent (18 of 52) from the field.

Texas-Tyler (8-1) started the game on a 10-2 run and the Eagles came no closer than five points after that. The Patriots led 31-21 at halftime. OC pulled within seven points at 36-29 on a basket by Drew Tennial with 17:18 left, but Texas-Tyler scored the next 12 points.

D.J. Walter added nine points and five rebounds for OC, while Nyk Madison scored eight points to go with five rebounds. For Texas-Tyler, Milan Szabo (12 points, eight rebounds), Jaxon Edelmayer (11 points) and Patrick Samoura (10 points, nine rebounds) also reached double figures.

The game was the last nonconference contest of the season for OC. The Eagles will open LSC play on Dec. 31 at home against in-state rival Cameron.