UT Permian Basin forward Jacob Ledoux led all players scoring 21 points Thursday night as Falcons men's basketball returned to Lone Star Conference action, but #13 West Texas A&M scored the final nine points of the game in the last 53 seconds in an 83-82 loss at the UTPB Gym in Odessa.

After an exciting, back-and-forth first half that saw both teams lead numerous times and ended with West Texas A&M (14-2, 3-0) leading 38-37, the Falcons made their move after halftime. The Falcons (8-4, 1-1) grabbed a four-point, 51-47 advantage on a layup and free throw by Kyree Elder with 13:25 remaining in the second half.

The Falcons were able to push the advantage out to six points three different times, the latter two on a layup from Ledoux and a pair at the line by Elder.

Two at the stripe with 8:16 left in the game pushed the Falcons ahead by eight, 62-54, when Isaiah Hammons sank a pair.

A big 3-pointer from Ledoux with just under five minutes to play gave the Falcons a 73-66 lead, and another shot from deep by Ledoux the next time down the court pushed UTPB up by nine, 76-67.

The Falcons led by their largest lead of the night two different times both on scores by Hammons, the second on a layup with 2:35 remaining to lead 79-69.

The Falcons through were unable to find success on the offensive end, missing their last four free throws of the night in the last minute and committing a pair of turnovers as the Buffs scored seven of their last nine points of the game at the line.

Ledoux hit three 3-pointers on the night and had three blocks to lead all players in the game. 

Ledet added 18 points on a 7-8 night shooting from the field and had a double-double with a game-best 12 rebounds.

Elder ended the night as one of four Falcons in double figures, scoring 16 points with a team-high four assists, while Hammons scored 10 points in the game.

Ryan Quaid paced West Texas A&M with 18 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Buffs in both categories. Qua Grant added 15 points, Brandon Hall scored 11 and Jordan Collins had 14 points off the bench for WTAMU.

UTPB returns to action at home this weekend, taking on Eastern New Mexico Saturday at 4 p.m.