After six months and countless hours of practice and four months of 32 games, #19 UT Permian Basin men's basketball's 2017-18 season comes down to 40 minutes when the Falcons and #11 West Texas A&M Buffs meet for the fourth time this season to play for the NCAA South Central Region Championship at 7 p.m. at First Union Bank Center in Canyon, Texas. The winner advances  next week's Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, S.D.,  March 20-24.

The Falcons are coming off their most incredible game of the season, a 20-point second half comeback that saw UTPB prevail after four overtime periods in a 130-124 NCAA Tournament win over #22 Regis to advance to tomorrow night's region final. Lone Star Conference Player of the Year and South Central Region Player of the Year Daeshon Francis set a new school record with 43 points and Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year and South Central Region Second Team selection Sammy Allen recorded his second triple-double of the season, scoring 19 points with 11 rebounds, 11 assists and six steals as the Falcons set a new record for points scored in a game (130).

"It was a shame that one of those teams had to lose, both teams played really well," said UTPB head coach Andy Newman. "I'm really proud of our guys that through four overtimes and the ups and downs that four overtimes brings, we never quit and never lost our focus."

Regis' Jarrett Brodbeck, who led the Rangers with 34 points and 22 points in the first half on  six 3-pointers, was held to nine points in the second half and just three points in the 20 minutes of overtime as James McPherson locked him down on defense after halftime.

"James single-handedly with his defensive effort won us that game last night," said Newman. "Brodbeck is a heck of a player, and he was going to score 50. They don't lose when he gets it going. For James to step it up on the defensive end says a lot about his character, toughness and coachability."

The Falcons focus shifts to a familiar opponent, the Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament champion #11 West Texas A&M Buffs. Playing on their home court this week in Canyon, WTAMU is 30-3 on the season with a 79-65 win in the first round against Colorado School of Mines and a 93-70 victory Sunday night against Texas A&M Commerce to advance to Tuesday night's final.

UTPB and West Texas A&M split the regular season series, UTPB winning early in the season 106-100 at home, and the Buffs taking game two in Canyon 105-86. The two teams met in the Lone Star Conference Championships Final just over a week ago, with the Buffs taking the lead late to win 80-76.

"It's going to be a really tough game and we're going to need to play really well to win. They're a very good team and very good at home, they shoot the ball well and shoot well in their own building. We need to be focused and excited for the opportunity. You're in the Sweet 16; there's no easy games. You've got to concentrate on yourself and bring the best possible version of your team on that night."

Tickets for Tuesday night's South Central Region Final are available at the doors of the First Union Bank Center in person, or online by clicking here. Free live video and live stats will be available online at utpbfalcons.com, and you can listen to the game with Graham Pollard and Derek Catsam on the call on Rock 95.1 or online at utpbfalcons.com.