UT Permian Basin women's basketball trailed by as many as 20 points in the first quarter against Eastern New Mexico and were behind 28-9 after 10 minutes of action in a close come-from-behind Lone Star Conference opener as the Falcons fell just short in a 63-61 loss Thursday night in the UTPB Gym.

The Falcons rallied to out-score the Greyhounds 19-5 in the second quarter, and trailed by just give at halftime 33-28.

UTPB took its first lead of the game when the Falcons opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run. Victoria Lopez hit a layup followed by 3-pointers from Kristel Reid and Briana Caro early in the half.

The Falcons rallied after trailing by seven in the fourth, taking a lead again on a Niva Taito layup to go on top 55-54 with 5:05 remaining. The lead changed hands five more times in the game with Eastern New Mexico going ahead by one with 20 seconds left and the Greyhounds hit another free throw with two seconds remaining for the two-point win.

Caro paced the Falcons with 15 points on the night, hitting four from 3-point range. Tato added 11 points with team-highs in assists (four) and rebounds (seven). Stephanie Verduzco added 10 points off the bench on 5-8 shooting.

UTPB is back home Saturday afternoon, taking on Western New Mexico at 2 p.m.