The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team pulled within one possession of Texas A&M - Comemrce eight times in the second half, but were never able to completely erase the Lions lead in an 88-82 loss in the season opener in Lawton, Okla.

Trailing by three at the half, UTPB cut an eight point Commerce lead into no larger than two points at three separate times in the second half, closing to within a point at 11:32 when a Dwayne Soders layup brought the Falcons to trail 51-50.

The Falcons used a six point run three minutes later to get within two at 63-61 on baskets by Soders, Andre Rieder and a steal and fastbreak layup by Jason Armstead.

UTPB trailed by two three different times in a minute and a half strech near the end of the game, the third and final time on a layup by Anthony Dees with 2:27 remaining.

Two points was as close as UTPB could get at the end of the game, as Texas A&M - Commerce out-scored the Falcons 8-4 in the final two minutes to close out the six point win.

Soders led the Falcons with a monster double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor to lead all players in rebounds and UTPB in scoring.

Anthony Dees and Phadarius Taylor each added 17 points, with Taylor hitting 7-of-9 from the field.

Tyrie Wooten led all scorers with a game-high 22 points for Commerce.

The Falcons close out weekend action in Lawton Saturday night, taking on host Cameron at 6 p.m.