UT Permian Basin football out-scored Eastern New Mexico 17-3 in the second half and held the Greyhounds to 154 yards of offense after halftime, but the Greyhounds had over 300 yards off offense in the first 30 minutes and led 17-0 at the half in defeating the Falcons 20-17 Saturday night in Portales, N.M.

UTPB started to turn its fortunes around early in the third quarter when John O'Kelley forced a fumble by QB Wyatt Strand on the ENMU 14 that was recovered by Ryan Baker. Three plays later Kameron Mathis connected with Kristian Brown for a 14-yard TD to close within 17-7.

The Falcons forced Eastern New Mexico to turn the ball over on downs, holding tight on a 4th-and-1 stop to take over on the Greyhounds 37. UTPB got down to the four-yard line, in part on a 22 yard catch by Hunter Kliafas, and pulled within a TD on a 21-yard field goal by Bailey Giffen.

Down 10 points again following an Eastern New Mexico field goal of its own, UTPB needed just three plays to drive 75 yards. Consecutive 37-yard catches by Brown on a pair of passes moved the ball 74 yards, and Marquee Allison punched it in from the one for the score to close within 20-17.

Both teams offenses stalled out in what turned out to be a scoreless fourth quarter. Chris Hoad kept it a 3-point game at the start of the fourth, blocking a 27 yard FG to take over at the team's own 15.

A possession later Clifton Holmes forced another turnover, intercepting Strand on the UTPB 20.

The UTPB offense was unable to make headway most of the fourth quarter as well, taking over possession deep in its own end of the field. A 44-yard pass from its own 20 with 1:52 remaining on its last drive by Mathis to Mitchell Leonard moved the ball into Greyhound territory to the ENMU 36. UTPB moved the ball seven more yards before attempting a potential 47 yard FG that would have tied the game, but ended up missing wide left.

Chris Hoad ended the night with 19 tackles to lead the UTPB defense, along with a recovered fumble. Ieti Manu and Emilio Solis each had 10 tackles for the Falcons, both with two tackles-for-loss as UTPB had nine total tackles go for a loss of yards.

Leonard ended the night with five catches for 94 yards while Brown added 85 yards and a score on four catches.

Kamal Cass went for 159 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 30 carries for the Greyhounds, while Strand rushed for 135 yards on 17 attempts, averaging 7.9 yards per carry for Eastern New Mexico.

UTPB is back home next weekend, hosting Texas A&M - Kingsville Saturday night in Odessa to cap Homecoming weekend. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Ratliff Stadium.