box score
 
Six players scored in double-figures as The University of Texas of the Permian Basin women's basketball team opened Heartland Conference play with a 79-68 victory over Texas A&M International. 
 
Tammy Acosta nearly had a triple-double as she put in a team-high 14 points with eight rebounds while dishing out six assists.  Jessi Cowden put in 12 for UTPB, while Ashley Villareal put in a season-high 11. 
 
The Falcons relied on their outside shooting once again as they knocked down 11 three-pointers.  Villareal and Cashena Mathis combined to drain five from downtown – all of which came in the second half. 
 
Taniqua Ards gave UTPB its first double-digit lead when she made a layup with 12:42 left in the first, giving the Falcons a 22-12 advantage.  They would keep at least a 10-point edge the rest of the half and eventually went into the locker room with a 45-32 lead. 
 
The Dustdevils opened the second half with a 13-6 run to pull within six (51-45), but a 7-0 run gave the Falcons an 11-point advantage with 10:46 to go.  The Dustdevils used another run to pull within four (56-52) after Nikkiti Scott made two of her team-high 15 points, but TAMIU would come no closer the rest of the way. 
 
The Falcons used a run of their own to pull away to improve to 10-4 on the year.  They have the luxury of playing at home once again on Saturday as they host St. Mary's at 2 p.m. in the Falcon Dome.