WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- UT Tyler hardly played like a team searching for its first win against an NCAA Division II opponent Saturday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
 
The Patriots brought the energy, physicality and enthusiasm to a 92-66 thumping of Midwestern State.
 
"This was the first time where we stepped out on the court and the other team just punched us in the mouth first," MSU coach Justin Leslie said. "We had been that team to this point throughout the season. Our youth and our inexperience showed. The things that we were trying to do essentially went out the window."
 
UT Tyler improved to 2-7 on the season with only other win coming against Dallas Christian. The Patriots suffered LSC sweeps to UT Permian Basin, Lubbock Christian and St. Edward's.
 
Senior guard Da'Zhon Wyche took his shift first knocking down five 3-pointers to score 19 of his 23 points in the first half, while junior guard Darius Alford went a perfect 7-for-7 from the field with four 3-pointers to tally 19 of his matching team-high 23 points in the second half.
 
Midwestern State fell behind by 14 points on two occasions in the first half before whittling the UT Tyler advantage down to six points after Jermane Carter powered in a layup with 2:30 to go before halftime to pull within 36-30.
 
But the Patriots answered with eight consecutive points to take a 44-30 lead into the break. They carried a double figure lead for the remainder of the game with the advantage ballooning to as much as 31 points late in the second half.
 
"It was disappointing without question. However, we need to go out and learn how to win. We're still a group that just hasn't figured out everything that goes into that," Leslie said. "The only way to do it is by playing the games and continuing to go through these experiences together. Tonight was a unique one. They really brought the physicality and the pressure and just completely busted up our offensive rhythm. What was disappointing to see was when we stopped having success on the offensive end how that carried over the defensive side."
 
The game marked the first time an opponent beat the Mustangs on the boards (39-33). The Patriots also turned 22 MSU turnovers into 25 points, while holding an 11-7 edge in second chance points.
 
Sophomore Terrell Wilson buried six 3-pointers to lead the team in scoring with 22 points. He was the only Mustangs' player in double figures.
 
Midwestern State hits the road to face Dallas Baptist Friday night at the Burg Center. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.