Box Score 


The University of Texas of the Permian Basin women's basketball team used a quick start early on and held on late to improve to 12-5 on the season in a 56-54 road victory against McMurry in Abilene, Texas.

UTPB used an early 3-pointer on the team's first possession by Giselle Loya and a jumper from Teisha King to lead 5-0 after the first minute. Another 3-pointer from King and a pair of free throws by Taniqua Ards increased the Falcons advantage to 10-1, and they held the War Hawks to another free throw while scoring a pair from the line by Brianna Dominguez, a single free throw by Zeslie Johnson and a layup by Dominguez to run away with a 15-2 lead after nine minutes

The Falcons played solid defense early on, holding McMurry to just a pair of free throws on offense through the game's first 10 minutes. The War Hawks missed their first seven field goal attempts on the afternoon while committing eight turnovers in that span before hitting their first shot attempt with 10:08 remaining in the first half.

McMurry rebounded after finally finding the bottom of the net, outscoring the Falcons 11-2 over the next three minutes to pull to within four points at 17-13.

UTPB was able to put some distance between itself and McMurry before halftime, going into the break leading 26-18.

The War Hawks threatened again early on in the second half, using three consecutive made field goals, including a 3-pointer, on three straight possessions to cut the UTPB lead down to 30-28.

The Falcons quickly regrouped, running off a 9-2 stretch capped by layups from Ards and Johnson that put them back out with a comfortable 39-30 lead.

McMurry never went away, eventually tying the game at 47-47 with 2:10 remaining in the game as Rikeita Thomas scored six of eight straight points for the War Hawks.

A Naderra Carey free throw and King jump shot put the Falcons back up by three, and they were able to hold the lead as McMurry pulled to within a point two different times down the stretch.

McMurry had an opportunity to tie the game, missing a three with 13 seconds remaining. The War Hawks hit a free throw with eight seconds left after a technical foul, but Clarissa Davis put the game out of reach by making both of her free throws to make it a two-possession game.

King led all scorers in the game, making 8-16 from the field along with a perfect 7-7 effort from the line on the day while grabbing five steals. Ards was the only other Falcon in double digits, scoring 10 points. Clarissa Davis led UTPB on the glass with eight rebounds, seven of them coming on offense.

The Falcons return home next weekend, hositng St. Mary's at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31.