box score
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team picked a good time to play a complete game as the Falcons took a 95-81 victory over Abilene Christian in their first home game of the season.
Not only did the Falcons score a season-high in points, but also shot 48.3 percent from the field, including 47.6 percent from behind the three-point line. UTPB made a living from long range, hitting 10-of-21 three's, including three from Louis Crane, who finished with 18 points.
UTPB led for most of the second half and used a 22-9 run over the last 9:17 to play to close out the Wildcats, who beat the Falcons in the first game of the season. The win didn't come easy as the Falcons were charged with a technical before the game started for dunking while the officials were on the court, which gave ACU two free throws which it converted.
Trailing by one early in the game, Klein Harper, who finished with eight points and a season-high 10 rebounds, hit a 10-footer to give the Falcons an early 5-4 lead. The lead wouldn't last long as Zach Williams' layup with 14:47 to go before the break gave the Wildcats a 14-13 advantage they would hold the rest of the half. Abilene Christian shot 50 percent from the field in the first and hit 10-of-11 free throws, but a three-pointer by Elijah Jordan at the buzzer tied it at 42 at the break.
UTPB opened the second half with a 16-8 run to lead 58-50 with 15:26 to go after Erik Martin made a layup for two of his 11 points. Five different players scored in double-figures with Ke'Andre Derrick leading the way with a season-high 22 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-2 from behind the three-point line. Jamal Holden and Louis Crane finished with 19 and 18 points respectively.
The Falcons would hold the lead for all but 13 seconds in the second half, out-scoring the Wildcats 53-39 in the final period. UTPB made the most of its chances, sinking 27-of-35 free throws and scored 29 points off turnovers.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 2-5 on the year and will not return to the Falcon Dome until Jan. 2 when they host Angelo State at 4:30 p.m. UTPB will travel to Laredo this weekend to compete in the Texas A&M International Classic where it will take on Johnson & Wales and Barclay on Friday and Saturday.
