UT-Permian Basin men's basketball picked up its second straight Heartland Conference victory Thursday night, defeating St. Mary's 85-76 in the third game of a four game home stand.

Codye Hatcher had a big night inside for the Falcons against a young but talented group of big men for St. Mary's. Hatcher was a perfect 5-5 from the field for 12 points in the opening half, while Johnnie Lacy had 19 points with five 3-pointers on six attempts as UTPB led by as many as 11 points early on but held just a three point, 43-40 lead at halftime.

St. Mary's got withing three points in the early minutes of the second half, but a gigantic rally spanning nearly three minutes set the Falcons up for the win. UTPB scored 13 straight points, the final six off of three pointers from new addition Sam Stirgus, playing in his first game after joining the Falcons at semester. Stirgus hit three 3-pointers in the scoring streak to put the Falcons in the driver's seat 63-45 with 12:32 remaining.

The Ratters closed the lead down to double digits but never got closer than seven points on a three-point play with 7:34 left in the game to trail 69-62, and UTPB responded to go back ahead by 18 points as Hatcher scored six points in a row for the Falcons to lead the Rattlers 84-66.

Hatcher led the Falcons with 23 points on the night, hitting 8-11 FG to go with a 7-8 night at the free throw line with five reboudns and four blocks.

Lacy scored all of his 19 points in the first half. 

Gary Akbar had a team-best five assist to go with 10 points, and Stirgus ended the night 5-6 in his debut with a 4-5 effort from 3-point range and 14 total points.

Kriston Minor led all players with 26 points on 12-19 shooting for St. Mary's.

UTPB closes out its two week homestand this Saturday, hosting Texas A&M International Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.