01/08/05- U.T. Tyler pulled within 2 points with 17 seconds to go but missed two free throws with a second left on the buzzer as Sul Ross came away with a 78-76 ASC victory over the Patriots Saturday in Tyler.
Rick Herrera (Alamogordo, NM) led Sully with 25 points, nailed all of his 3-point shots at 4 for 4, was near perfect at the free throw line hitting 5 of 6 foul shots and went 8 for 9 from the field. Sid Hooper (Andrews) was team second with 23 points. Hooper went 9 for 16 from the floor, 5 of 10 from long distance and for the first time this season, did not make a single trip to the free throw line. Aaron Hardwick (El Paso) was leading rebounder with seven boards.
Sul Ross shot 45% from the floor as a team while shooting a season high 52.4% from 3-point range and hit 48.1% of its game total free throws.
The win gives Sully a 10-1 season mark and an 8-1 record in ASC action.
The Lobos will face McMurry in a West Division show down on Thursday at Kimbrell Arena in Abilene.
Sul Ross, McMurry and Texas Lutheran are currently in a 3-way tie for first place in the ASC West.