UT Permian Basin women's basketball stayed right with the defending national champions for much of the first half Saturday night in Lubbock, Texas, but the #11 Lady Chaps outscored UTPB 37-16 after halftime in a 61-37 loss to Lubbock Christian.

UTPB led once in the game when Kristel Reid scored the first basket of the game, but the Falcons kept the game close. Brianna Caro hit back -to-back threes early in the second quarter to tie the game at 12-12, Reid hit a pair at the line for a 16-16 tie, and Caro hit a three-point play to even the game at 19-19 as the Falcons kept the score within one possession over the final 9:15 of the first half.

Lubbock Christian held the Falcons to just 5-28 shooting in the second half while out-scoring UTPB 21-5 in the fourth quarter to pull away.

Niva Taito led UTPB with 10 points on the night. Caro added nine points as each had a pair of 3-pointers.

Allison Szabo led Lubbock Christian with 15 points.

UTPB stays on the road Tuesday, traveling to Alpine for a non-conference game at Sul Ross.