In what has become a trend of late, Azariah Seay and Jalen King carried the UT Permian Basin Men's Basketball (10-11, 4-8 LSC) offense on Saturday.  The dynamic duo combined for 36 points, scoring 18 each, at St. Mary's (9-8, 6-6 LSC).  They did most of their damage from the free throw line, finishing 14-of-17, while also grabbing a combined 10 rebounds.
 
Both offenses were slow getting out of the gate and combined to score just 10 points before the first media timeout at the 15:57 mark.  Neither side was able to gain the early momentum trading buckets back-and-forth, but it was the home side with the slight lead.  The Rattlers pushed their lead to eight, but Seay countered with a three-pointer and DaJuan Jones followed him with a jumper to make it a one-score game. 
 
King then took over the game for the Falcons.  The junior connected on four straight from the charity stripe before a jumper gave the Falcons the lead at 28-27.  After the Rattlers retook the lead, King once again knocked one down from the field to regain the lead.  A pair of Rattler free throws flipped the lead back in favor of the home side, but it was DaJuan Jones' jumper with 48 seconds remaining that ultimately sent the Falcons into the half ahead 32-31.
 
The Falcons started the second half fast with a 7-1 run.  Keyon Craddock converted a jumper on the fast break before scoring after an Alvarez Powell rebound extended their next possession.  Roughly 30 seconds later, Craddock found Lino Manhom for the easy dunk and a 39-32 lead.  The home side wouldn't be deterred, hitting threes on their next three possessions and tying the game. 
 
Trailing by one, Daniel Moody knocked down a three and Seay followed with the next four points to put the Falcons back up six, but once again a three by the Rattlers kept them in striking distance.  With the Falcons leading by four, the Rattlers went on a 6-0 run to take the lead.  Over the final four minutes and change though, the Falcons couldn't score from the field and couldn't keep pace with what became a free throw battle down the stretch in the eventual 69-59 final.
 
It's a busy week for the Falcons next week as they host three games in the Falcon Dome. They'll start the week on Tuesday at 7:30 PM against rival Angelo State.  Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.