box score
 
LAREDO – Ke'Andre Derrick poured in a game-high 22 points to lead The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, but it wasn't enough as the Falcons fell 55-50 to Arkansas-Fort Smith in the Heartland Conference Tournament play-in game. 
 
With the win, the Lions will enter the conference post season tournament as the No. 4 seed and will take on top-seeded and host Texas A&M International tomorrow. 
 
The Falcons were able to make 19 of the 25 free throws they attempted, but had a rough night shooting from the field as they made just 33.3 percent of their shots, including just five field goals in the second half.  Elijah Jordan was the only other player to score in double figures with 12, but the five starters for UTPB combined for just 13 points. 
 
UTPB was in control for most of the first half, leading by as many as eight (14-6) in the early goings.  In the first 7:30 of the game, the Falcons drained three three-pointers, but made just two the rest of the game. 
 
After the Falcons eight-point advantage, Arkansas-Fort Smith used a 14-5 run to take a 20-19 lead after Jake Toupal made a pair of free throws.  The teams would exchange buckets in the final five minutes of the half before UTPB went into the locker room with a 25-23 advantage. 
 
UTPB held the lead for most of the second half until Bo Franklin made two free throws with 7:41 to play to give the Lions a 40-38 lead they would not lose the rest of the way.  UTPB went cold in the final 10 minutes of the game as it made just one field goal during that stretch, but did make 13 free throws in that span.  The Falcons' lone field goal in the remaining 10 minutes was a layup by Derrick with 1:44 to play making it 49-44 in favor of the Lions. 
 
Despite the cold spell, UTPB pulled within two on two different occasions with 1:06 to play.  Mike Akins made the front end of a pair of free throws to make it 49-47 with 1:06 to go before Derrick drained two freebies with 25 seconds left.  The Falcons would come no closer the rest of the way. 
 
UTPB closes out the 2011-2012 season with a 15-14 record and won eight of its last 10 games of the season, including six straight down the stretch.