Alexus Wykoff picked up right where she left off before the holiday break, scoring 18 points and going a near perfect 8-of-9 from the field as UT Permian Basin Women's Basketball returned to action after the holiday break.  Wykoff scored 12 points in the second half as the Falcons earned their third straight win, holding off a late charge from Sul Ross for the 70-66 final.
 
Wykoff put the Falcons on the board with a layup after a Lobo bucket to start the game.  After exchanging buckets Morgan Helgesen gave the Falcons their first lead of the game.  Three three-pointers in the opening frame extended the lead to 24-19 after 10 minutes. 
 
Both offenses struggled in the second quarter.  An early Lobo three cut the Falcon lead to a possession before a Kamari Portalis basket pushed the led back to five.  In the final 30 seconds of the half, Helgesen banked in a jumper and sent the Falcons into the locker room.
 
The Lobos pulled even early in the third before the Falcon offense woke up.  A layup by Wykoff and a jumper from Rory Carter pushed the lead back up to five.  Diavian Spencer converted on a three-point play and was followed by another Wykoff bucket to lead 48-40.  A three by Ally Haman made it a 12-point game and forced a timeout by the Lobos. 
 
In the fourth the Lobos found their three-point stroke to keep things interesting.  Three of those cut the Falcon lead down to four before the final media timeout.  The lead was trimmed to just two in the final minute before a pair of clutch free throws by Kine Diop put the Falcons back in front by two scores.  The Lobos answered with a bucket to cut the led to just two once again, but Helgesen calmly sank a pair of free throws for the win.
 
Wykoff scored her 18 points in just 19 minutes of action and pulled down five rebounds.  Helgesen had 10 points along with five boards.  Avalon Munoz led the team in minutes with 35, scoring 11 points while leading all players with four assists.  The Falcons dominated the boards winning the battle down low 42-32. 
 
The Falcons hit the road for Lone Star Conference action Friday afternoon against St. Mary's, who the Falcons defeated on December 11 in Odessa.  Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the Falcons all season long.