SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran Men's Basketball fought back from early first-half deficits of 18 and a second-half deficit of 20 and had a half-court heave at the buzzer that would have stolen a season-opening win from the University of Texas at Tyler.

But Alex Cage's shot at the buzzer bounced off the backboard, and the Patriots (1-0) escaped Memorial Gymnasium with a 78-76 non-conference win Thursday over the Bulldogs (0-1).

TLU trailed 22-4 just under eight minutes into the game. The Patriots took a 40-24 lead into the half and increased the lead to 47-27 with 17:22 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs rallied throughout the rest of the second half, cutting the UT Tyler lead down to single digits, at 54-45, with 12:55 to play.

Freshman guard Sebastian Andrade (El Paso, Texas/Americas) sparked the Bulldogs. Andrade had a jumper, a three-pointer and a layup in a three-minute stretch that trimmed the UT Tyler lead down to seven at the 11:57 mark. Andrade scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half.

TLU had the Patriots' lead down to six with 4:57 remaining and down to four with 2:42 on the clock.

UT Tyler held off the Bulldogs by converting at the free throw line in the closing minutes. The Patriots made eight of their final 10 free throws.

Jackson Willoughby (Port Aransas/Port Aransas) led TLU with 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Transfer point guard Nathan Josephs (San Antonio/Clark/Texas State) chipped in 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Cage and Andrade each scored 12. Andrade also pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists.

TLU shot just 20.7 percent in the first half. The Bulldogs rallied behind 42.9 percent shooting in the second half. TLU made five second-half three-pointers.

UT Tyler received 28 points and 13 rebounds from Emeka Obukwelu and 12 points and nine rebounds from Josh Tatum.

The Bulldogs hit the road for their next contest - a 7:30 p.m. Saturday game in Belton, Texas against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.