box score

DALLAS – Louis Crane has hit lots of three-pointers throughout the season, but none more important than the one he drained with seven seconds to go which lifted the University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team to a 71-69 win over Dallas Baptist.

Jordan McGowen hit a jumper with 43 seconds to play to give the Patriots a 69-66 advantage. Jamal Holden brought the Falcons within one after making two free throws with 22 seconds to play before Crane's three-pointer assured the Falcons a trip to the Heartland Conference Tournament.

With one game to play in the regular season, the Falcons sit at 7-4 in league play and in sole possession of second place. UTPB will take on St. Edward's on Saturday in Austin.

Dallas Baptist led by as many as nine in the first half (21-12) with 11:43 to go and would keep the lead until Ke'Andre Derrick hit a jumper with 51 seconds to play in the half to give the Falcons a 33-31 lead. McGowen hit from the outside with 30 seconds left to tie the game at 33 at the half.

The Falcons opened the second half with a 17-5 run to lead 50-38 with 13:06 to go. They would hold the lead until Nick Fox hit the front end of a pair of free throws to give the Patriots a 65-64 lead with 1:36 to play.

UTPB went through a scoring drought from the 3:30 mark until Holden hit his free throws with 22 seconds to play. During that stretch, the Falcons scored just two points – a pair of free throws by Dwayne Soders.

Crane was not only a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, but was 4-of-4 from the free throw line as well. Soders was a force inside, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting while pulling down six rebounds.

While the Falcons are in the drivers seat to play in the conference tournament, Dallas Baptist now sits at 5-6 and on the outside looking in as St. Mary's and Newman currently have 6-5 league marks. The top-four teams will play in the post season tournament to be held on San Antonio on March 4-5.