UT Tyler senior She'Cara Humphrey is averaging a team-best 16.4 points per game.

And there was one.

She’Cara Humphrey and six other freshmen joined the UT Tyler women’s basketball program in 2010.

Fast forward four years and she is the lone survivor.

“I’m the lucky one,” she laughed.

“I never considered leaving; I always wanted to go to one college,” said the 6-1 senior post whose nickname is Shaq. “I had an opportunity to go juco, but I wanted to start somewhere and finish at the same place.”

Humphrey said she has seen the ups and downs of the UT Tyler women’s basketball program.

The former Pittsburg High School star is happy her junior and senior years are on the up cycle.

“I’ve seen the best of both worlds — I’ve seen UT Tyler basketball when we were low and I’ve seen us now when we are high,” Humphrey said. “It is nice now.”

The Patriots are 11-2 on the season and leading the American Southwest Conference with a 9-1 record.

Both the Patriot women and men are home tonight, hosting Mississippi College at the Herrington Patriot Center. The women play at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30 p.m.

As a freshman and sophomore, the Patriots had records of 11-14 and 12-13 and missed the postseason both years.

New coach Kevin Baker turned things around immediately when he took over last year.

“Having a different coach from my freshman and sophomore year you can definitely see a difference in the program,” Humphrey said. “I didn’t think we were going to get to this point. It’s nice to be here now.”

Last season, the Patriots set a record for wins (18-9) and won their first postseason game before falling in overtime in the conference tournament semifinals.

Now, Humphrey and the Patriots have set their sights on winning the regular season ASC title.

“We would love to stay on top and have the opportunity to host the conference tournament for our fans,” said Humphrey, who is averaging 16.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Baker is happy Humphrey has stuck around.

“She’Cara has quite the personality,” Baker said. “Everyone loves her. Her teammates love her. She is just a good kid. That is a big part of it, the chemistry she shares with her teammates.

“She knows being a senior there is no tomorrow for her. She has bought in about chasing this championship. Those are the two biggest reasons, other than her on-court production, which makes her a special player to coach.”

After starting 2014 on the road, the team is happy to get to finally play at home.

“I feel like we have been gone for months — especially the first road trip when we went to Alpine and Brownwood,” Humphrey said. “It felt like we were gone forever. It will feel good to play in front of our fans.

“We love our fans and our Senior Patriot Club. My parents can’t make every game, but when the Senior Patriot Club members are here it is like having family in the stands. It is so nice to have them here.”

And the Patriots are happy Humphrey has stayed around.

PATRIOT POINTS: Tonight is also Texas Country Night. Following the games, a free concert by local Texas Country band The Bigsbys is scheduled. It is free to all students and fans at the game. … Also tonight, the 2013 UT Tyler baseball team will be honored for leading the nation in fielding percentage and pitcher Derek Miller will be honored for being the nation’s leader in saves. … The Patriots are home again on Saturday, facing Louisiana College at 1 (women) and 3 (men) p.m. It is also Alumni Day on Saturday with all UT Tyler alumni receiving a T-shirt and being admitted to the game. The Tiny Tots will be performing at both games.