Xavier Martin hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to send UTPB men's basketball to a 77-76 win over Texas A&M International Thursday night in Odessa, Texas.

The Falcons pulled off the comeback win by scoring nine of the final 12 points of the game after trailing 73-68 with 1:38 to play after a 3-pointer from Willam Wise of the Dustdevils.

Martin hit four straight at the free-throw line, coming up with a steal after his first two to get back to the line and cut the lead down to 73-72.

Terrell Funches put TAMIU back ahead by four with his shot from long range with just 27 seconds left on the clock.

Codye Hatcher missed a pair of layup attempts under the UTPB basket but was fouled on this third attempt and came through at the line, sinking the eighth and ninth straight free-throws to pull back within two at 76-74.

UTPB got the ball back four seconds later on a traveling call with 17 second remaining, and Martin's shot from the left wing on a pass from Madison Turner fell through the net to put UTPB ahead 77-76.

Montrice Mcknight had one final attempt to give Texas A&M International the win, but his 3-point attempt in the final seconds of the game rimmed out as time expired.

Both teams shot above 50 percent from three on the night as UTPB hit 8-15 (53 percent) and TAMIU connected on 10-19 attempts (52 percent). The Falcons hit 23-26 from the free throw line to just 8-11 for the Dustdevils.

Turner led UTPB with 21 points on the day, hitting 6-10 shot attempts while sinking 4-6 from 3-point range. Chris Griffin added 16 points white Martin ended the night with 15 points and four assists. Hatcher had a team-best six rebounds with his 11 points.

Funches led all players in scoring, hitting 9-13 from the field for a 23 point night.

UTPB welcomes St. Mary's to town Saturday afternoon in a game featuring two of the five teams tied at first-place at 10-5 in the Heartland Conference after Thursday night's action. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m.