box score

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Despite shooting a season-low 29.5 percent from the field, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin women's basketball team overcame its struggles as the Falcons came away with a 73-65 win over Western Oregon in the final game of the Clarion Inn Thanksgiving Classic. Teisha King and Miesha Blackshear recorded double-doubles as UTPB improved to 6-2 on the year.

The Falcons trailed 33-32 with 1:31 to go in the first after a jumper by Jade Haas, but an 8-2 run the rest of the way gave UTPB a 40-35 halftime lead. As it has done all season, UTPB turned up the defense, scoring 12 points off turnovers and had a team effort as 22 of the 40 first half points came from the bench.

UTPB's run would continue in the second half as it started with a 7-0 run to lead 47-35, its largest of the game, with 17:29 to go. The Falcons would keep a double-digit lead until Danielle Bellando hit a jumper with 13:16 to go to pull Western Oregon within nine (52-41).

It would continue to cut into the Falcon lead as the Wolves pulled within two (61-59) with 6:30 to play. UTPB stepped up its defense once again as they held Western Oregon to six points the rest of the way.

For the fourth-straight game, King led the way in scoring for the Falcons with 18 points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, while Blackshear added 11 points with 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Andrea Chavez added 13 points, while Tammy Acosta had 12.

The Falcons will get a much-needed break as they will be off until Sunday, Dec. 12 when they host the College of the Southwest at 4 p.m.