Box Score UT Permian Basin's defense stepped up all day as the Falcons out-gained West Texas A&M 314-226 on the day while holding the Buffs to just 99 yards in the first half, but West Texas A&M converted a pair of UTPB turnovers into 10 points as West Texas A&M ended Saturday with a 17-6 victory over UTPB at Kimbrough Stadium in Canyon, Texas.

The Falcons went ahead early for the second straight week on a 42-yard field goal by Bailey Giffen at 9:57 of the first. UTPB moved the ball 50 yards down the field, a majority coming on a 48 yard catch by Courtney McMaryion to the West Texas 25 yard line.

UTPB forced their first of three turnovers on the next drive when Chris Hoad picked off Ben Arbuckle at the UTPB 30.

West Texas A&M went ahead early in the second quarter on a four-yard rush by Jordan Johnson for a 7-3 lead.

Both teams traded field goals in the second half, Alex Schrag from 42 yards out and Giffen from 40 with 10:47 remaining in the fourth to pull within four points.

The Buffs went up by the final 11-point margin on a 10-yard run by Brandon Blair with 5:29 remaining in the game.

Keegan Gray forced the second of three turnovers on WTAMU's first drive of the second half, punching the ball loose as Ryan baker recovered on the UTPB 48.

Marquise Coles snagged the second of the defense's interceptions at 6:07 of the third on 3rd-and-14 on the UTPB 39.

Hoad was all over the field for the Falcon defense, leading all players with 13 total tackles, 11 solo with an interception and tackle for loss. Gray added 10 total tackles with the force fumble, three tackles-for-loss and a pair of QB hurries.

McMaryion caught a pair of long passes on the day to lead UTPB with 92 receiving yards. Jake Anglin grabbed six of 10 targets for 72 yards as UTPB threw for 246 yards to just 140 through the air for West Texas A&M.

UTPB closes out a three-game road trip next weekend against Western New Mexico in Silver City, N.M.