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AUSTIN – A 23-10 run in the game's final seven-and-a-half minutes propelled The University of Texas of the Permian Basin to a 73-67 win over St. Edward's in Heartland Conference action. 
 
UTPB erased a 45-33 halftime deficit to earn its fourth Heartland Conference victory thanks to a combined 39-point effort from Tammy Acosta and Teisha King.  Acosta put in a season-high 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting and hit 12 of the 14 free throws she attempted.  King on the other hand, put in 19 points and picked up a game-high four steals. 
 
The Falcons, who normally rely on their outside shooting ability, hit just one of 11 from downtown, but made up for it by scoring 42 points in the paint.  UTPB also dominated the boards, pulling down 39 rebounds, 15 of which came on the offensive side.  Because of their rebounding, the Falcons put in 14 second chance points. 
 
St. Edward's used an 11-5 run midway through the first to take a 33-23 advantage with 8:46 to go after a three-pointer by Maddie Wheeler.  She would finish with a team-high 17 points and hit three of the Hilltoppers' five three's on the afternoon.  St. Ed's would keep a double-digit lead the rest of the half.  They would keep their double-digit cushion into the second half until Acosta hit a pair of free throws with 11:07 to play to pull the Falcons within nine (55-46). 
 
The Falcons would slowly but surely cut into the lead until Taniqua Ards made a layup with 4:43 to give UTPB a 58-57 advantage they would not lose the rest of the way.  Acosta was key for the Falcons in the final seconds as she drained five-straight free throws in the game's final 27 seconds. 
 
The Falcons will remain on the road when they head to San Antonio on Thursday to face St. Mary's for the second round of Heartland Conference action.