box score
WICHITA, Kan. – In the final game of her career,
Tammy Acosta scored a game-high 23 points, but was one of only two players to score in double-figures as The University of Texas of the Permian Basin fell 76-65 to Arkansas-Fort Smith in the opening round of the Heartland Conference Tournament.
Not only did the senior lead the team in scoring, she dished out four assists, making her the school's all-time leader in that category with 536 in her illustrious four-year career.
The Falcons were in a big hole early as Fort Smith jumped out to an 11-0 lead before Acosta finally put UTPB on the board after making a layup nearly three-and-a-half minutes into the game. Not only did the Falcons struggle to start the game, the Lions opened the second half with a 12-3 run to take a commanding 47-35 lead with 14:47. UTPB never recovered.
Although down 11, UTPB roared back to take a 22-20 lead after Acosta drained a three-pointer with 8:50 to go in the first half. Her bucket was part of a 12-4 run which eventually gave the Falcons a 25-20 lead with 7:16 to go before the break. They would hold the lead the rest of the half until Katie BenAmor made a 10-footer with 1:34 to go giving the Lions a 33-32 advantage. Neither team would score the rest of the period.
The Lions opened the second half with a three-pointer by Vasha Sanders, which set the tone for the rest of the way. UTPB committed 22 turnovers on the night, 16 of which came in the second half. Not only did they have trouble holding on to the ball, the Falcons also hit just five of 24 three-pointers they attempted.
Fort Smith took advantage of the Falcons' sloppy play to eventually lead by as many as 21 (63-42) with 7:09 to go. UTPB was able to pull within nine (71-62) with 1:20 to go, but would come no closer the rest of the way.
Teisha King was the only other player to score in double-figures with 11, while
Taniqua Ards added seven. UTPB finished its season with a 19-8 record and a third-straight appearance in the Heartland Conference Tournament.
