box score
 
Mack Lankford scored 29 of her game-high 33 points in the second half, but a defensive surge by The University of Texas of the Permian Basin snuffed out the threat as the Falcons took a 77-67 in their home opener. 
 
Lankford put in a jumper from the left side, giving ACU a 63-62edge, but the Falcons countered with a 15-4 run the rest of the way to improve to 4-2 on the season.  Lauren Unger broke a 65-65 tie after hitting her fifth three-pointer of the night, giving UTPB a 68-65 lead which jump-started the run.  She would finish with 15 points on the night and was one of four players to finish in double-figures.  Tammy Acosta led the way for UTPB with 21, while Teisha King and Taniqua Ards added 15 and 11 respectively. 
 
The Falcons started the game on an 8-0 run before the Wildcats finally put in a pair of free throws 5:36 into the game.  Acosta gave the Falcons their first double-digit lead when her three-pointer made it 23-12 with 7:41 to play in the first. Her bucket was part of a 14-0 run that was capped off with a 10-foot jumper by Clarissa Davis giving UTPB a 29-12 lead, its largest of the half.  The Falcons would go into the locker room with a 36-27 advantage.
 
It was UTPB against Lankford in the second half as she kept the Wildcats in the game, pulling them within four (53-49) with a driving baseline layup.  She would eventually hit a jumper with 2:40 to go, giving it a 63-62 lead.  It wouldn't last long as King made a layup with just under two minutes to go, giving the Falcons the lead for good. 
 
UTPB shot 37.5 percent from the field, but out-rebounded ACU 42-34 and used an inside-outside game to stave off the Wildcats.  The Falcons also turned the ball over a season-low 12 times and picked up 16 assists in the win. 
 
The Falcons will remain at home as they host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Falcon Dome.  UTPB took a 76-58 win in Kingsville last week.