The loss, ETBU's third in a row, drops the Tigers to 9-10 overall and evens their American Southwest Conference East Division record at 4-4. UT-Tyler, in the first year of the program, improves to 6-13 and 4-5.
The Tigers trailed by three with under 10 seconds remaining, but Cedric Isom's 3-point attempt rimmed out. ETBU regained possession with a dead ball rebound and set up Clay Fisher for a 3-pointer, but Fisher was fouled on the attempt and stepped to the free throw line with just over a second remaining.
Fisher's first free throw rimmed out tantalizingly, and he connected on the second charity shot. The third shot was missed, and UT-Tyler swatted the ball away for their second win in seven days over the defending ASC East champions.
The Tigers lost despite placing four players in double figures, led by Cedric Isom's 17 points. Chris Isom added 16, while Fisher turned in a season-high 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Quinton Owens also chipped in 10.
The Patriots were led by Tracy Murphy's 18 points and 11 boards, while Chris Hall added 14 and Brandon Weasby 13.
Weasby, coming off the bench, outscored ETBU's bench all by himself (13-6). Overall, UT-Tyler held a 24-6 advantage in bench scoring.
ETBU held a 49-33 advantage in rebounding. Both teams were particularly ineffective at the free throw line, with ETBU hitting only 9-of-18 (50 percent) and UTT converting only 7-of-15 (47 percent).
The Tigers return to action Saturday, hosting UT-Dallas in what could be a must-win game for ETBU in terms of making the ASC conference tournament.