It had been two weeks since the last time on the floor for UT Permian Basin Women's Basketball but that didn't slow down Kamari Portalis. The freshman set a career high with 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
 
The first half was a defensive battle with neither side able to get much momentum.  Rory Carter started hot for the Falcons, scoring their first five points on the evening.  A bucket by Avalon Munoz gave the Falcons an early five-point lead before the Pioneers responded with a run of their own to retake the lead.  The offenses went cold with neither side able to score for over two minutes before Portalis ended the drought.  The offenses remained cold as in the final 2:37 of the quarter only the Pioneers could find the basket.
 
After the Pioneers scored four points early, the Falcons held them scoreless for the final seven minutes of the quarter and built a 20-17 lead heading into the half. 
 
In the third the Pioneers found some offensive rhythm while the Falcons struggled from the field in the final five minutes of the half.  With the deficit at nine, Munoz buried a three to end the quarter.
 
The Falcon offense closed the gap early in the fourth.  Alexus Quaadman made it a two-point game after back-to-back baskets to open the frame.  Portalis made it a one-point game after getting fouled on a layup to convert a three-point play.  The Pioneers pushed the led back to five but neither offense could gain momentum.  Portalis knocked down a jumper to cut it to a single possession once again with under a minute to play.  That's as close as they'd get as the Pioneers hit free throws down the stretch for the 44-37 final.
 
Carter chipped in seven points as did Munoz.  The Falcons held the Pioneers to 3-of-15 shooting from long range.  The Pioneers struggled from the charity stripe shooting only 56.3 percent.
 
The Falcons are back in action Saturday against Midwestern State at 2 PM.  Download the UTPB Athletics App for the latest updates on your favorite Falcon teams.