When things don't go your way in life, you can either blame someone else for your setbacks or sit back, reflect, and figure out what went wrong. The UT Permian Basin women's basketball team did just that after they finished the 2022-23 season just short of their goal - making the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Championships. 

"After last season, we reflected on missing the tournament by one game," said Senior Guard Andreea Mancha." "This year having so many returners, so many seniors and adding Kamryn Lemon plus other key pieces there is a lot of leadership on this team. One of the things we really strive for this season is consistency, so I think the more consistency we have, it comes in handy when closing big games." 

The reflection that the Falcons had at the end of last season has really paid off for them this season as they are off to the best start under head coach Rae Boothe. Currently, the Falcons are 10-2 overall, 5-1 in LSC play, on a six-game winning streak and ranked No. 6 in the D2CSC Women's Basketball South Central Region Rankings.  

"I think it's all because of the players. We can have best gameplan, but they have to work hard, they have to execute it, they have to be bought in and they have to believe in themselves and each other." said coach Boothe on why the team has had so much success early on. "I think this is the most confident team and I think experience has helped that. Knowing we missed the tournament by one game really helps our mentality be sharp and for us to be hungry. But at the end of the day, we have a lot of confidence in each other's abilities and in ourselves. This team celebrates each other and plays for one another and that really takes us to another level." 

Undefeated at Home 

With everyone on the team buying into the mentality and the consistency they have shown on the court, it is no surprise that the Falcons have been a team no one wants to face at home – due to the fact they are 6-0 in the Falcon Dome. 

"The team's mentality and everyone knowing what they have to do and bring to the program is why we have been successful this season," said Lemon. "We have one goal and that is to be a three every day, so as long as we strive for that, success will continue to come." 

#BeGreat 

Reflection isn't just something the Falcons do at the end of each season. But something they do every game, practice, film session, and for every homework assignment, as Being Great is something they strive for every day. That mentality is also their team motto "BeGreat" and can be seen on their gear, binders, is a commonly used hashtag and a way they grade themselves. 

Effort (Being prepared for practice, work ethic, energy), Attitude (Having an attitude worth catching, being competitive, acceptance of criticism, never giving up) and Toughness (Ability to move onto the next thing) are the three things they grade themselves on every day, with the goal of being a three. 

Falcons leading in LSC statistical categories  

The success the Falcons have had in the 12 games they have played so far this season, has led to them cracking the top-15 in several statistical categories in the LSC.  

Alexus Quaadman leads the league in rebounding, grabbing 11.3 boards. Lemon is second in the league in field goal percentage 56.6 and Mancha is third in three-point percentage (38.7). Additionally, Lemon and Mancha are 13th and 14th in the LSC in scoring averaging 13.5 and 13.1 points.

Lemon is averaging 3.5 assists (tied for 7th) and not too far behind is Mancha averaging 2.9 (tied for 11th). Avalon Munoz is also a threat on the defensive side of the ball averaging 2.6 steals, which is second best in the LSC. 

As a whole, they have the No. 2 ranked offense, scoring 75.1 points and No. 6 ranked defense, only giving up 63.3 points. The Falcons are also fifth in the LSC in field goal percentage (42.8) and three-point percentage (31.7). Defensively they are third in the LSC in turnover margin (4.58), second in steals per game (11.83) and are sixth in rebounds per game with 36.9. 

Tough Road Ahead 

While the Falcons have had success early on in the season, they will need to continue to have Effort, Attitude, and Toughness, if they want to extend their winning streak. 

They will face their first test on the road on Thursday (Jan. 11), going up against the team ranked right above them in the D2CSC Women's Basketball South Central Region Rankings – Lubbock Christian. The Lady Chaps are 10-3 overall and tied with the Falcons for third place (5-1) in the LSC. 

"Lubbock Christian is a very good basketball team. I think anyone you play in the Lone Star at this point in the season is going to be a game," said coach Boothe. "But, Lubbock Christian at Lubbock Christian is kind of another level. They shoot the ball really well, defend really well, are second in the league in field goal percentage, and first in the league in points allowed. I think it is really great that we get three days to prepare for Lubbock Christian because there is a lot of stuff to prepare for."  

The Falcons will then face fifth place West Texas A&M on Saturday (Jan. 13), 12th place Cameron (Jan. 18) and sixth place Midwestern (Jan. 20), before returning home on Thursday (Jan. 26) to take on St. Edwards at 5:15 p.m.