BOX SCORE


The University of Texas of the Permian Basin women's basketball team rebounded from a 12-point second half deficit and held off a late charge from Abilene Christian, picking up a 74-71 win in its first game of the 2012-13 season Tuesday night at the Moody Coliseum in Abilene, Texas.

The Falcons (1-0) held the lead early on in the first half, scoring on its only 3-pointer of the night by Jocelyn Cook at 13:42 of the first half to take an 8-7 advantage.

Abilene Christian (1-1) pulled away closer to halftime, riding an 8-0 run capped with back-to-back 3-pointers by Whitney West to lead 33-23 with 3:47 remaining in the first half before heading into the break with a nine-point lead.

The Falcons cut into the Wildcats lead after ACU scored a 3-pointer for the second half's first points, scoring nine in a row, the final four from Teisha King, to trail by a single possession at 41-38 with over 17 minutes remaining in the contest.

A King jumper at 12:34 of the second pulled the Falcons even at 47-47, and UTPB took its first lead of the second half five minutes later at 57-55 on a layup by Naderra Carey.

The Falcons pulled ahead by seven three times in the game's final minutes as King hit four free-throws in two trips to the line and Zeslie Johnson sunk a pair with 27 seconds remaining. ACU quickly hit a three on its next possession and forced a turnover, scoring on a layup to bring the UTPB lead to 73-31.

Cook was able to stretch the Falcons advantage out to three, making a free throw with five seconds remaining, and UTPB locked up the 74-71 win in its first time on the court under new head coach Jerome Willis as Abilene Christian missed a game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.

“It was a big night for us because it was a total team effort,” Willis noted. “When it got tough we all came together.”

Taniqua Ards led all scorers on the night with 21 points on 9-16 shooting from the field. She also paced UTPB with nine rebounds as the Falcons held a 46-37 advantage on the glass. King chipped in 18 points on perfect 10-10 shooting from the free-throw line, and Briannah Matthews and Johnson ended up in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

The Falcons return home for the first time this season in two days, hosting Sul Ross in non-conference action Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.