UTPB Men's Basketball wrapped up a spot in next week's Heartland Conference Championship with a dominating 79-55 defeat of St. Edward's Thursday night at the Falcon Dome in Odessa.

The victory was never in doubt for the Falcons who grabbed an 11-point lead nine minutes into the game and kept the lead at double-digits the remainder of the night. 

Eight straight points behind a layup from Phadarius Taylor and six straight free throws helped put the Falcons on top 30-11 with eight minutes to play in the first.

A basket from the top of the lane by Anthony Dees with three seconds left in the half sent the Falcons into halftime holding their largest lead of the night, up 21 points at 48-27.

Jason Armstead hit a three to go on top by 27 points at 14:24 of the second half, and the Falcons reached a 28-point lead twice on a Keith Martin basket and Madison Turner 3-pointer near the end of the game.

Taylor led all players in the game with 23 points, hitting 66 percent from the field on 8-12 shooting with eight rebounds. Dwayne Soders recorded his 13th double-double of the season, scoring 22 points while controlling the glass with 16 rebounds.

UTPB will have to wait until Saturday to find out its opponent and location for next Friday's semifinal contest. The Falcons, locked in to the fourth seed, will meet up with either Arkansas-Fort Smith or Texas A&M International. UAFS guaranteed at least a share of the Heartland Conference regular season championship with a 106-102 victory over Rogers State. TAMIU can lock up a share of the regular season title, clinch the #1 seed and will host next weekend with a win over St. Mary's Saturday afternoon. With a Dustdevils loss, next weekend's games will shift to Fort Smith, Ark.

The Falcons close out regular season action in their final home game of the season Saturday afternoon, hosting McMurry at 3 p.m.