box score
 
GOODWELL, Okla. - Teisha King put in a career-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting to lead The University of Texas of the Permian Basin to a 106-98 win over Panhandle State. 
 
King was one of five Falcon players in double-figures as UTPB improved to 18-6 overall and 8-2 in Heartland Conference play and now sets up the showdown with Newman on Saturday for the outright lead in the Heartland. 
 
UTPB trailed just three times in the game and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half.  The Aggies used a 12-5 run with 59 seconds to play to pull within five (101-96), but five made free throws down the stretch helped seal the victory. 
 
The Falcons couldn't shake the Aggies in the first half as they built a 10-point lead with 16:10 left in the first, but a 7-0 run pulled OPSU within three with 14:49 to go.  UTPB was able to boost their lead to nine, but would eventually go into the locker room with a 51-48 lead. 
 
A 22-8 run to open the second half gave the Falcons the cushion they needed thanks to steady scoring from Tammy Acosta, Jessi Cowden, Taniqua Ards and Briannah Matthews.  UTPB dominated the paint, scoring 50 points in the lane and out-rebounded the Aggies 48-34 which led to 25 second chance points. 
 
The Falcons' 106-point performance marks the second-straight game and the third time this season they have surpassed the century mark.  They have now won seven-straight, marking the longest winning streak since entering the Heartland Conference. 
 
UTPB and Newman will square off tomorrow at noon in Wichita for the outright lead in the Heartland Conference.  After the Newman contest, the Falcons will return home to face St. Edward's on Feb. 25 for the final regular season game of the year.