DENTON, Tex. – The Regis University women's basketball team fought to the final minute, but ultimately their 2023-2024 season came to an end on Friday, falling to the University of Texas at Tyler Patriots, 74-54, in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional.

The No. 3 seeded Rangers (26-6 overall) close out their season tying the program record for most wins in a single season while also posting an 18-4 mark in conference play that led to their second conference title sweep in as many years. The Patriots improve to 26-8.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Taking on the Patriots for the first time in program history, the Rangers got off to a fast start in the first with a 2-0 lead, but UT Tyler quickly took over and closed out the quarter scoring 21 points to Regis' 12.

Regis came out in the second half swinging, opening the third with a 15-4 run to claw back within five of the Patriots by the halfway mark of the quarter. But UT Tyler answered with an 11-5 run of its own to inflate the lead to 11 at the end of the quarter.

The Rangers were unable to get any closer than five points as the Patriots shot 40% from both the floor and from behind the three-point line to Regis' 26% from the floor and 27% from three.

Graduate student guard Josey Ryan led the Rangers in points with 27 and a career-high seven three-point makes, eight rebounds, and two steals. Fifth-year forward Sam Deem led the Rangers at the glass with nine rebounds and two blocks while fellow fifth-year Morgan L. Smith also posted two blocks.

Deem also finished in double-figures with 13 points while senior guard Madison Diercks rounded out the top three scorers with five points.

GAME NOTES

• Regis outscore UT Tyler in second chance points, 6-5
• The Patriots' depth shined with 19 bench point to the Rangers' 7
• UT Tyler had 20 assists to Regis' 12