UT-Permian Basin men's basketball used the 3-pointer to take a halftime lead on the road at Texas A&M International, but the Dustdevils held the Falcons down on offense while shooting over 55 percent in the second half to defeat UTPB 79-66 Thursday night in Laredo, Texas.

The Falcons hit 6-14 from 3-point range in the first half, including shots from beyond the arc on three straight possessions in the final 1:16, the final two from Sam Stirgus in the last minute to hold a 33-31 lead at halftime.

Texas A&M International broke open a game that had largely remained a one possession game by scoring nine straight points to take a 51-43 lead with 9:47 to play in the second half.

UTPB never quite recovered from the run as the closest it go over the final nine minutes was four-points on a 3-pointer by Johnnie Lacy to trail 58-54, but the Dustdevils built their lead back up into double digits in the final minutes of the night.

Lacy led UTPB with 18 points, hitting 11-12 attempts at the free throw line, while Gary Akbar had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Stirgus added 12 points, all coming on a 4-8 night from beyound the 3-point line.

Kenny hatch led the Dustdevils with 19 points.