box score
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team trailed by as many as 17 to Angelo State, but a pair of free throws by
Erik Martin in overtime gave the Falcons the lead for good and eventually an 87-78 win.
The Rams seemed to do everything right in the first half, shooting 60 percent from the field, hitting 3-of-5 three pointers and committed just eight turnovers as they took a commanding 44-30 lead at halftime. The Falcons were not as fortunate as they hit just 37 percent of their shots and made just 2-of-10 three-pointers. The second half was a polar opposite for both teams as the Rams couldn't buy a bucket as they went nearly six minutes midway through the period without a point, allowing the Falcons to go on a 12-0 run and pull within two.
The Falcons could do no wrong in the second half, hitting 50 percent from the field and knocked down five of their seven three-pointers in the game.
Ridge McKeither made a layup and the free throw after with 14:19 to go to give the Rams a 56-42 lead, but wouldn't score again until Steven Moore made a pair of free throws with 8:46 to go. By that time UTPB closed the gap to two (57-55), but wouldn't take the lead until
Louis Crane's two freebies gave the Falcons a 63-62 advantage with 5:22 to go in the second.
The Rams quickly took the lead back momentarily after Trey Mays hit a pair of free throws before a Jumper by Martin gave UTPB a 65-64 lead with 4:09 left in regulation. The Falcons would lead by as many as four with 3:33 to go, but scored just one point the rest of second period.
In overtime, the Falcons were 10-for-12 from the charity stripe and missed just two shots as they out-scored the Rams 18-9 in extra time.
Five players scored in double-figures for the Falcons, who improved to 6-6 on the year.
Ke'Andre Derrick led the way with 21 points, while
Louis Crane added 14. Martin and
Dwayne Soders put in 12 while
Jamal Holden chipped in with 11 and had a game-high six assists.
UTPB will open Heartland Conference play on Thursday when it heads to Laredo to take on Texas A&M International at 8 p.m.
