box score
 
Three players scored in double-figures as The University of Texas of the Permian Basin held off a scrappy University of the Southwest team, taking a 79-74 win in the Falcons' home opener. 
 
Mike Akins and Elijah Jordan both had 18 points, while Madison Turner added 16.  The Falcons used their long-range shooting ability, hitting 12-of-25 from behind the three-point line with Jordan and Turner hitting a combined nine. 
 
The Mustangs held the lead for the first nine-and-a-half minutes of the game until Rodney Hudson hit a pair of free throws giving the Falcons a 17-16 edge with 11:37 to go before the half.  UTPB would hold the lead the rest of the half, including a 34-27 advantage, its largest of the game at the break. 
 
The second half saw the Falcons go up by eight (45-37) after Jordan knocked down one of his long-range shots, but the Mustangs eventually took a 53-52 lead with 7:25 to go after Reggie Matthews hit a pair of free throws.  He would finish with 14 on the night. 
 
The University of the Southwest rode the back of Demetrius Evans, who put in a game-high 27 points after hitting 10-of-19 from the field as well as three three-pointers.  He would give the Mustangs a 59-54 advantage after knocking down a three with 5:36 to go.
 
Jordan would finally give UTPB the lead for good with his last three-pointer of the night at 2:46, making it 65-64.  The Falcons would go on to make 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.  They hit 19-of-26 for the game and turned the ball over just 11 times as UTPB improved to 2-1 on the season. 
 
The Falcons will remain at home as they host the Chickfil-A Classic Friday and Saturday when Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M come to town.