box score

The Texas A&M International and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball rivalry becomes more heated each time they play and tonight was no different as the Dustdevils escaped with a 66-65 win over the Falcons. In four times the two teams have faced off, each contest has been decided by one point with TAMIU holding the series lead 3-1.

Earlier this year the Falcons left Laredo with a 76-75 overtime win after the Dustdevils forced extra play with a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game in regulation. UTPB nearly returned the favor on its own court when after trailing by four points with eight tenths of a second to play, Louis Crane nailed a three-pointer from the left side to make it 66-65 in favor of the Dustdevils. A quick foul by the Falcons put Brian Schaeffer to the line, but after two misses, UTPB had one last chance to win it. A cross-court pass by the Falcons was intercepted at the three-point line by the Dustdevils ruining any chance of a comeback.

A&M International led by as many as 10 in the first half with 6:41 to play after Ryan McLucas hit a three-pointer to make it 24-14, but the Falcons would close out the half with a 20-9 run to take a 34-33 halftime lead. During that stretch UTPB made seven of the nine shots it took including a three-pointer by Ke'Andre Derrick.

Both teams were red-hot from the field in the first half with the Falcons making 55.6 percent of their shots (15-27) and TAMIU hitting 52 percent (13-25).

The second half saw both teams exchange buckets with the Falcons clinging on to the lead. Crane nailed a three-pointer with 11:09 to go to give UTPB a 49-43 edge, its largest lead of the game but the Falcons wouldn't score again until Jamal Holden hit a jumper in the paint with 9:02 to go. The damage was done during those two minutes as the Dustdevils took the lead for good and held a 52-49 lead after Holden's bucket.

UTPB tied the game at 60 after Holden made a layup for two of his 14 points with 4:35 to play but James Silvie gave TAMIU back the lead with a layup of his own less than 30 seconds later. UTPB would not tie the game again.

Dwayne Soders led all scorers with 18 points after hitting 8-of-9 shots from the field and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Falcons. Crane added 11 to go along with Holden's 14.

UTPB will hit the road for a non-conference tilt against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Feb. 10 before returning home to host Panhandle State on Feb. 17 at 8 p.m.