The University of Texas of the Permian Basin women's basketball team erased a 10-point deficit and led by as many as five points in the second half, but couldn't hold on in suffering a seven point, 71-64 loss at home Monday night to Angelo State.

Trailing 39-32 out of halftime, the Falcons cut the game to one possession on a basket by Zeslie Johnson on the first possession of the second half and a Danielle Wilson layup at 18:39. 

UTPB later got within a pair of points on two free throws by Shaquiri Graham and a layup by Johnson at 15:29, and pulled within one three minutes later on a basket by Tori Cooks to close the score to 49-48.

The Falcons took their first lead of the night in the middle of a 9-0 run halfway through the second half. Trailing by four, layups from Graham and Wilson tied the game at 52-52 with 10:28 on the clock, and they took the lead on a 3-pointer by Brianna Jones following a steal from Jones to go ahead 55-52. Johnson built the lead up to five with a layup two possessions later.

Angelo State came back to reclaim the lead with a pair of threes from Amanda Weaver as she scored eight straight points to help the Belles jump ahead by five at 62-57.

Jocelyn Cook pulled UTPB back within one at 4:49, hitting a shot from downtown, but four quick points by ASU gave the Belles a five point lead, and they never led by fewer than three points the rest of the contest in earning a seven point win.

Keyondra White led four Falcons in double figures with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc on the night. She was matched in 3-pointers by Giselle Loya as she, Johnson and Graham each added 10 points. White led all players in the game with seven assists and Valerie Barriga handed out six more assists.

Hillari Adam led all scorers with 17 points on the night for Angelo State while Weaver contributed 14 points off the bench.

The Falcons hit the road this week, traveling to Rogers State in three days. Tip Thursday night in Claremore, Okla.,  is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.