Box Score

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team was unable to rebound from a slow start Saturday night, dropping its second game at the St. Edward's Classic 80-65 against Texas A&M Commerce in Austin, Texas.

UTPB trailed by 16 halfway through the first half after the Lions scored 12 points in a row while holding the Falcons scoreless in a six minute stretch. Colton Thompson scored the next seven points for UTPB over the next few minutes, and the Falcons were able to cut the deficit down to 11 before TAMU Commerce closed out the half with five straight points to take a 34-18 lead into halftime.

UT-Permian Basin cranked up the offense in the second half, closing to within seven points at 55-48 in part by connecting on four 3-pointers, including two on back-to-back possessions by Dominique Brooks, after failing to hit a shot behind the arc in the first half.

The Lions responded with 10 straight points of its own, pushing its lead back up to 65-38, and they would lead by double digits the remainder of the game.

Thompson led UTPB with  18 points off of the bench, shooting 7-10 from the field while also leading the team with three steals. Brooks added 16 points, connecting on three of five shots from 3-point range with a team-best six assists on the night.

Stefon Carson led Commerce with 13 points as one of four Lions to score in double digits, and Andrew Davis led all players with 11 rebounds.

The Falcons return to action next week, traveling to Stephenville, Texas, for the Tarleton State Classic. Tip off Friday night against Tarleton State is set for 7 p.m.