A furious fourth quarter comeback fell just short in the UT Permian Basin's 45-41 loss at Texas Woman's to open conference play.  

The Falcons (1-6, 0-1) started fast building a 7-2 lead out of the gate.  A run by the Pioneers (4-3, 2-0) put them up 11-9, but baskets by Juliette Akinwole and Sarah Bersang followed by a three by Chynna Rivera closed the quarter with the Falcons leading 16-13.  The teams would trade baskets to start the second quarter but the Pioneers would close on a 12-0 run and lead 29-20 at the half.  

The Pioneers would open the second half with a bucket before Alexandrea Washington's three cut the lead down to eight.  After trading baskets, the Pioneers would score twice and head to the fourth quarter with the Falcons trailing 39-27.  The Falcons would trail by 12 with nine minutes to go before the defense locked down on the Pioneers.  Washington would drain a three to cut the deficit to single-digits.  Baskets by Akinwole and Washington followed by a three by Khali Pippins-Tryon made it a 41-39 game with a minute to go.  The Falcons had a chance to take the lead but missed a three-pointer with :27 seconds left.  The Pioneers would make their free throws down the stretch in the 45-41 final.

The Falcons held the Pioneers to just 1-9 shooting in the final quarter and forced 19 turnovers for the game. The team also finished with 43 rebounds including 20 offensive boards.  Washington led the Falcons with 12 points and five steals.  Pippins-Tryon led the way on the boards with nine while Akinwole added eight.  Bersang finished with six points, seven assists and six rebounds.

The Falcons return home for their home opener next Saturday against conference foe Western New Mexico at 2 p.m.