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Taniqua Ards scored a game-high 22 points while Tammy Acosta added 18 more as The University of Texas of the Permian Basin took an 84-65 victory over Henderson State.  The Falcons are now 6-0 in the Falcon Dome as they will now enter Heartland Conference play to start the new year. 
 
The Falcons, who normally rely on their outside shooting ability, beat the Reddies at their own game as UTPB put up 46 points in the paint.  The Falcons are now 9-4 on the year while Henderson State dropped just its second game all season and are now 7-2. 
 
UTPB seemed to be in control early as it led 26-20 after Acosta converted a layup with eight minutes left to play in the first.  The Reddies flipped the momentum as they used an 11-1 run to lead 31-27 with 4:47 to go before the break.  The Falcons, who went nearly four-and-a-half minutes without a field goal, finally broke the shooting spell when Ards made a layup with 3:23 left.  UTPB would eventually tie the game at 36 at halftime.  
 
Henderson State opened the second half with a 44-39 lead after Destiny Smith, who led the team with 15 points, hit the back end of a pair of free throws with 17:01 to play.  The Reddies would not score again until Cheree Freeman made a layup nearly five minutes later.  By that time, UTPB went on a 16-0 run to lead 55-44 which they would not lose the rest of the way. 
 
Ards hit a jumper with 7:05 to go, giving the Falcons a 65-55 lead and they would keep a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. 
 
Cashena Mathis also put up double-figures with 12 points, hitting four-of-six shots from the field, while guard Jessi Cowden pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. 
 
UTPB will be back in action on Jan. 5 when it takes on Texas A&M International in the Falcon Dome to open Heartland Conference play.