In a tightly contested battle in which neither team led by more than nine points, UT Permian Basin fell to Eastern New Mexico 61-55 on Saturday.

The Greyhounds (9-3, 4-0) used an early 9-0 run in the first quarter to take a nine point lead over the Falcons (3-9, 0-4).  A lay-up by Sarah Bersang would end the run before free throws by the Falcons would cut the deficit to five.  After a Greyhound free throw, Nyachristmas Puok would drain a three and end the first quarter trailing 16-13.  Back to back buckets pushed the Falcon deficit to eight in the opening minutes of the second quarter.  The teams would continue to trade points before Kristian James would convert on a three-point play and Bersang would hit a pair of free throws to head into the half on a 5-0 run and the score at 28-26 in favor of the Greyhounds. 

A quick lay-up from Bersang briefly tied the score in the third quarter before the Greyhounds would answer with a seven point swing.  The Falcons would be trailing by nine before going on a run of their own.  Alexandrea Washington would knock down a three, then Teya Morris would follow with a jumper of her own.  Puok would hit another three and cut the score to 39-38.  A Khali Pippins-Tryon would hit an emphatic and-one towards the end of the quarter and the Falcons would head into the final quarter trailing 44-41.  Lemia Ntor-Ue would convert a three-point play to tie the game again to open the fourth quarter. The Greyhounds would go on a four point swing, which the Falcons would not be able overcome as the teams would just trade points back and forth in the final minutes.

Puok and Pippins-Tryon led the way for the Falcons with 10 points a piece .  Bersang added nine points to go along with eight rebounds.  From the free throw line the Falcons were 13-15 for the game while the Greyhounds were 21-35 including just 4-12 in the second quarter.  After 15 turnovers in the first half, the Falcons had only four in the second half in what was an even game.

The Falcons head on the road to take on Midwestern State on Thursday before heading to Cameron on Saturday in search of their first conference win of the season.