UT Permian Basin senior Pat Dembley scored 21 of his 29 points in the second half and helped the Falcons hold off a late run by University of the Southwest in an 84-77 win Sunday afternoon in Odessa.

Jordan Horn did a majority of his scoring in the opening half with 17 points in the first 20 minutes as the Falcons got off to a hot start to lead 20-4 after eight minutes, and held a 43-33 lead at halftime.

Southwest started to make their move halfway through the second half, closing within five points after a pair of baskets by Emmanuel McNeil pulled the Mustangs to trail 57-52. 

Collin Hill made it a one possession game with just over four minutes remaining, hitting a pair of free throws and knocking down a 3-pointer after a UTPB turnover to close within 70-67 at 4:14 of the second half.

A minute and a half later, Joshua Harris tied the game with a layup and an and-one, evening the score at 72-72 with just under three minutes remaining.

Dembley stepped up, hitting a three on the next trip down the floor, and he hit a pair at the line to push the Falcon lead out to five.

Elvin Rodriguez had a big pair of possessions during crunch time, sinking a pair of layups in the final 1:28 to help keep it a two-possession game, the second coming with 16 seconds remaining to make it a five point game. 

Dembley sunk a pair at the line to close out the scoring in the seven point, 84-77 victory.

"I thought Pat really stepped up and hit some big shots for us today," said Head Coach Josh Newman. It was an ugly win, but a win is a win. Elvin also made two big time drives to help us separate in the final minutes."

Dembley connected on 6-10 from 3-point range on the day and nailed 9-10 from the free-throw line during his 29-point game. He also had a team-best five assists.

Horn added 17 points, making 6-9 from the field and four 3-pointers with three assists.

Rodriguez added 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench, while Carson Newsome had a team-best eight rebounds to go with nine points for the Falcons.

UTPB opens Lone Star Conference play next weekend, welcoming Western New Mexico to Odessa Saturday afternoon.