Needing an offensive spark on Thursday, Jalen King did just that for UT Permian Basin Men's Basketball.  The junior scored a game-high 23 points along with seven rebounds as the Falcons pulled away in the second half for a 71-54 win over Oklahoma Christian.  The win is the team's fourth in their last five games.

Both sides exchanged points and the lead until Azariah Seay's three-point play put the Falcons ahead 13-11 at the 11:08 mark in the first half.  Two possessions later, Seay coverted on another three-point play and put the Falcons up four, the largest lead by either side to that point.  A Nathaniel Powell dunk pushed it to six and moments later Max Warren put the Falcons up 24-16.  The Eagles closed the gap to four but four points from King and four points from Lino Manhom as part of an 8-2 Falcon run extended the lead to 10 heading into the half.

The home side made things interesting with a 12-2 run early in the second half to tie things at 39.  They took the lead after a jumper but just 30 seconds later DaJuan Jones put the Falcons back on top with a pair of free throws.  Things were kept close until the Falcons exploded for a 10-0 run that held the Eagles scoreless for nearly seven minutes of game time.  Down the stretch the Falcons hit their free throws to pull away with the win.  In the final 10:30 the Falcon defense was fantastic, holding the Eagles to just seven points.

Jones and Seat added 12 points each in the win.  Jones was 8-of-8 from the free throw line and added five assists.  Seay was 6-of-6 from the charity strip and added six boards.  Powell chipped in eight points and six rebounds while Warren grabbed six rebounds in his first start of the season.  Both teams struggled from the floor with the Falcons unable to connect from three-point range and the Eagles only going 3-for-20 from long range.

The Falcons go for a perfect week Saturday at Arkansas-Fort Smith with tip-off slated for 3 PM.  Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.