Tyler Junior College's Cameron Johnson (3) shoots the ball during a college basketball game at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Averaging 100 points per game in non-conference play, the Tyler Junior College Apaches couldn’t find an offensive rhythm in the Region XIV opener Wednesday night at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

The Apaches were 20 of 65 from the field (30.7 percent) as they fell to Lamar State-Port Arthur, 69-61.

“We just didn’t make shots,” Tyler head coach Mike Marquis said. “Even when we made some late, we weren’t consistent.”

It was a foul fest early in the contest as there were six fouls called on Lamar State in the first 2:22 of the contest.

The Apaches couldn’t take advantage, and Lamar State got out to a 17-9 lead with 11:05 left in the first half.

With the score at 24-15 in favor of the Seahawks, Tyler went on a 10-0 run to grab a 25-24 advantage.

Deandre Heckard hit two 3-pointers in that run. The Apaches were 7 of 22 from deep in the contest.

The score was tied at 29 at the break

Tyler and Lamar State traded leades early in the second half. A steal and layup by Heckard made the score 37-34 in favor of the Apaches before the Seahawks responded with a 14-0 run to go ahead 48-37.

Tyler stormed back with a 13-2 run of its own and tied the score at 50 on a triple by Keiffer Punter.

Up 53-52, TJC had three offensive rebounds on its next trip down the court but couldn’t convert. Lamar State capitalized with a jumper by Terrance Minor, and the Seahawks never relinquished the lead the remainder of the contest.

With the score at 64-61 with 1:14 left, TJC’s Cameron Johnson attempted a tying 3-point attempt, but it was off the mark.

Jamyus Jones — one of three Lamar State players who played on the 2018 state champion Port Arthur Memorial team — led the Seahawks with 17 points. Jones, Thailan Wesley and Darion Chatman were on the team that defeated Whitehouse in the regional semifinals. Marquis’ son, McKade, was on that Whitehouse team.

Minor, standing at just 5-9, had 16 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals for Lamar State (7-3, 1-0).

Heckard led Tyler with 18 points, and Edra Luster had 10 points and six rebounds. Shahada Wells had 9 points and dished out six assists.

Tyler (8-1, 0-1) will play Lee College at 6 p.m. Saturday in Baytown.

SMOKE SIGNALS: At halftime, the 2018 Apache and Apache Ladies tennis teams received their championships rings from Chuck Smith, TJC’s interim athletic director. … In other Region XIV finals: Navarro 90, Lee 71; Blinn 71, Paris 62; Trinity Valley 93, Coastal Bend 79; and Kilgore 70, Angelina 63, OT.

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Lamar State-Port Arthur 69, Tyler 61

Lamar State 29 40 — 69

Tyler 29 32 — 61

Lamar State: Devaughn Thomas 14, Devin Ellis 3, Terrance Minor 16, Javante Walker 2, Jamyus Jones 17, Nathan Bailey 8, Chris Thomas 6, Thailan Wesley 3.

Tyler: Deandre Heckard 18, Cameron Johnson 2, Jonathan Bryant 2, Reyhan Cobb 8, Edra Luster 10, Shahada Wells 9, Keiffer Punter 8, Chandler Oriakhi 4.