Despite an 8-point lead at the half #12 UT Permian Basin fell 78-54 to Tarleton State Thursday night. 

Daeshon Francis was the only Falcon in double-figures with 21 points going 12-12 from the free throw line. 

Back to back three-pointers early by Amari Bryant and Garrett Baggett gave UTPB 17-9 lead eight minutes into the game.  After a jumper by Corinthian Ramsey, Francis hit a pair of free throws and Sammy Allen hit a lay-up to put UTPB up 10.  The teams traded baskets for the rest of the half before Allen hit a lay-up to give UTPB a 35-27 lead at the half.  Neither team scored in the final 2 minutes of the first half. 

Tarleton came out in the second half with an 11-2 run to take the lead before a pair of Francis free throws briefly retook the lead for UTPB.  Preston Enloe hit a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to spark a 22-0 run to give Tarleton a 60-39 lead.  Markus Falley broke the slide for UTPB with a three-pointer with 6:50 to go.

As a team UTPB shot 5-26 in the second half while Tarleton shot 20-32.  Francis scored 12 of the team's 19 second half points.  Francis finished the night along with eight rebounds and five steals.  Sammy Allen finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.

Ramsey led the way for the Texans with 20 points while Deshawn Riddick added 14 points and 11 assists.  Jaraan Lands finished with 11 points and Enloe finished with 10.

UTPB concludes its regular season Saturday on the road against Texas A&M – Commerce before heading to Frisco to compete in the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament. With a one-point Texas A&M - Commerce win over West Texas A&M, UTPB can still clinch a share of the Lone Star Conference Regular Season Championship with a win over the Lions, and will be the outright regular season champions with a win and a Tarleton State victory over WTAMU.