James McPherson scored a season-high 36 points as #11 UT Permian Basin held off Lubbock Christian 85-80 Wednesday night at the UTPB Gym in Odessa.

McPherson was lights out in the first half, leading all players with 18 points and three 3-pointers as UTPB held a 37-30 lead at the half.

The Falcons increased it to 14 points coming out of the break on seven points in the first 2:14, the final five on a pair of buckets by McPherson.

The Chaps fought back, out-scoring UTPB 12-2 over the next 2:20 with 10 points coming from Isaac Asrat.

Lubbock Christian tied the game at 65-65 on a 3-pointer by Jay Workman, and scored on back to back possessions to lead 70-65 with 5:45 remaining.

Sammy Allen cut the lead to two with a 3-pointer on the next possession and UTPB tied the game at 72-72 with three an a half minutes when McPherson sank a pair at the line.

Josh Morris connected on two at the stripe the next possession to reclaim the lead, but Lubbock Christian hit a basket by Kobe Thompson, and a free throw by Kentton Williams after a UTPB turnover put Lubbock Christian ahead 75-74.

Morris scored the next trip down on a layup to go back ahead 76-75, and Allen stole the inbounds pass and found Daeshon Francis wide open under the rim for the easy layup.

Another Morris basket following an LCU offensive foul turnover gave the Falcons an 80-5 lead with 47 seconds left.

McPherson ended the night 6-11 from long range and hit 11-19 from the field to lead all scorers. Francis added 12 points with seven rebounds and Morris was the third Falcon in double figures with 10 points.

Allen led all players with seven rebounds and had a Falcon-high four assists.

Asrat hit 6-9 from the floor, including 6-7 from 3-point, to lead four Chaps in double figures with 21 points on the night.

UTPB hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Dallas Baptist Saturday night for a 6 p.m. tip.