box score
 
LAREDO – Tammy Acosta put in a game-high 19 points and dished out seven assists to lead The University of Texas of the Permian Basin to a 71-63 win over Texas A&M International. 
 
Acosta was one of three players to finish in double-figures as Cashena Mathis and Taniqua Ards put in 15 and 13 points respectively.  Ards was 6-of-11 from the field and was the main reason why the Falcons dominated the paint, as 38 of their points came inside. 
 
UTPB started off slow, falling behind by as many as 12 (27-15) with five minutes left in the first, but a 14-3 run over the last 3:49 of the first gave the Falcons a 36-34 halftime advantage. 
 
The Dustdevils would take back the lead when Amanda Mangan hit a three-pointer with 12:14 to play, making it 45-44 in favor of A&M International.  They would push their lead to eight (57-49) with 7:57 to go, but an 11-0 run gave UTPB a 60-57 advantage with 3:10 to go after Acosta knocked down a 15-foot jumper.  Not only would the Falcons keep the lead the rest of the way, they out-scored the Dustdevils 22-6 over the final eight minutes of the game to seal the victory. 
 
UTPB improved to 15-6 overall and 7-2 in Heartland Conference play.  It will return home on Thursday to host Arkansas-Fort Smith at 5:30 p.m. in the Falcon Dome.