Box Score
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team kicked off its 2012-13 Heartland Conference schedule Saturday afternoon, dropping a 69-64 decision at home against Dallas Baptist.
Both teams stuck close together in the game's opening minutes until UTPB hit back-to-back 3-pointers from Anthony Bees and Dominique Brooks to pull ahead 16-11 at 11:37 of the first half.
A 6-0 run on a pair of threes from Dallas Baptist later in the half pulled the Patriots ahead 22-20, and they used a seven point run to lead 29-22 with three and a half minutes remaining in the first half.
The Falcons closed out the first on a 7-2 run as Dees hit another three with 45 seconds left in the half to pull UTPB to within a pair of points at 31-29.
Following a Colton Thompson layup that kicked off scoring in the second half to tie the contest at 31-31, the Patriots scored eight in a row to take a 39-31 lead.
UTPB fought back, closing to within five on a Madison Turner three and later on a Thompson bucket, and was able to get to within four points as Brooks hit a layup and connected on a free throw after being fouled on the shot to trail 57-53.
Thompson made it a one possession game with 2:05 remaining, scoring a layup and the resulting free throw after being fouled to lower the DBU lead to 58-56.
Dallas Baptist hit a three and a pair of free throws, putting the game out of reach in the eventual five-point DBU win.
Dees was one of four UTPB players to hit double digits on the day, leading the Falcons with 15 points while connecting on 4-of-8 3-point attempts. Thompson hit 5-of-8 of his shots to score 13 on the day while Brooks and Turner each added 12 points. The Falcons shot a season-best 92 percent from the free throw line, connecting on 12-of-13 free throw attempts.
Jordan Kirschke led all scorers on the day with 21 points for Dallas Baptist while Nick Fox scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The Falcons close out a three game home stand in a week and a half, hosting Angelo State at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.
