The Patriots (0-1) gave Centenary (1-0) all they could handle though, coming to within four several times and as close as three during the second half.
UT Tyler returns to action next Saturday when the Patriots host Hardin-Simmons at 4 p.m. at the Herrington Patriot Center in Tyler.
Centenary led 40-32 at the half and UT Tyler trailed by as many as 13 but brought the game to within three at the 12:41 mark in the second half on a 15-footer by Jamal Vanderbilt to make the score 52-49.
Vanderbilt finished the game with 20 points to lead all scorers for UT Tyler. He also lead the team with seven rebounds. Patrick Branched added 14 points for the patriots followed by Brandon Weasby with 11.
UT Tyler struggled to get the three-point shot to drop, hitting just 6-of-19 from beyond the arc.
Centenary shot 56.6 percent from the field compared to 40.3 for UT Tyler. The Gents were led by 14 points each from Alexander Starr and Jason Underwood.
November 18, 2005 at Shreveport, La. (Gold Dome) UT Tyler………….32 41 - 73 Centenary…………40 44 - 84