UTPB women's basketball trailed St. Edward's for just one possession Thursday night. Unfortunately for the Falcons, it was the last possession of the night as they suffered a 61-60 defeat to the Hilltoppers at the Falcon Dome in Odessa.

Trailing by one with eight seconds to play, Casey Riley gave St. Edward's its first lead of the night to go on top 61-60.

Holding possession at the end of the game, the Falcons were able to get an unsuccessful shot off before the final buzzer

UTPB got out to an early lead in the first half and never trailed, going on top 11-6 behind a Valerie Barriga 3-pointer four minutes into the game.

The Falcons were on top by as many as eight as part of a five-point stretch by Barriga that included a jumper and a fast-break layup with a free throw in a 30-second span to lead 38-30 with 1:53 in the half before heading to halftime with a five point lead.

A Keyondra White triple minutes into the second half put the Falcons up double-digits for the first time to lead 45-35 on the Hilltoppers.

A scoring slump over the next three minutes let St. Edward's climb back to within three points and within a single point two different times, but the Falcons responded with an 8-2 run to go back on top by seven points.

St. Edward's closed within a single point twice with three minute left to play before tying the game for the third time on the night at 59-59 with 1:45 remaining.

White hit the front end of a pair at the foul line and the Falcons grabbed the offensive board when she missed her second, but turned it over with 26 seconds to play to give possession over to St. Edward's before they hit the game-winning basket.

Barriga led all players with 23 points in the game, shooting 8-15 from the foul line with a team best four assists as the only Falcon in double figures.

Mileka Loydradke scored 18 points to pace the Hilltoppers.

UTPB closes out its season at home Saturday afternoon, hosting McMurry for a 1 p.m. tip.