ALAMOSA, Colo. (November 9, 2024) – The University of Texas Permian Basin men's basketball team outscored the opposition in both halves, and that equals a win as the Falcons defeated Westminster University (Utah) by a close score of 75-71 during their first game at the South Central Region Challenge hosted by Adams State University.

Senior Alex Matthews led the Falcons with 20 points on 50 percent shooting from the field (5-10) and a 9-for-10 mark from the free throw line. He was also just one rebound shy of a double-double and tied for the team-lead with four assists.

Seniors Freddie Word and DJ Armstrong both added 12 points while fellow-senior Dario Domingos was right behind with 11 points.

The final member of the UTPB starting five, senior Maison Adeleye, contributed with nine points.

One of the key differences in the game was UTPB shooting 17-for-20 (85.0 percent) from the free throw line while Westminster was 18-for-27 (66.7 percent).

UTPB also led 34-26 on points in the paint and 18-9 on points off turnovers. The Falcons were able to stay in the single digits in turnovers while the Griffins committed 17 giveaways.

After 10 turnovers by Westminster, it was a 13-2 advantage in points off turnovers in the first half alone for the Falcons.

UTPB trailed 9-2 three and a half minutes in before the first turnover by the Griffins was followed by a 3-pointer by Armstrong, who was the lone Falcon with more than one 3-point make in the contest.

The largest lead of the game for either team was a 13-point Falcons' lead (54-41) after a jumper by Word with under 12 minutes left.

Westminster, however, got to within eight (62-54) after a 3-pointer with 6:30 left to play.

An and-one by Chase Potter with 1:50 left made it just a four-point game (69-65), and Westminster had three shots to try and cut it to a one-score game in the final 1:15, including a miss on a tip-in.

Westminster connected on two 3-pointers in the final moments to cut the deficit to one score, but Matthews (4-for-4) and Armstrong (2-for-2) were perfect at the free throw line to close it out.

Potter led the Griffins with an impressive 25 points and six rebounds and was responsible for a 3-pointer that made it 71-68 towards the end.

UTPB Head Men's Basketball Coach Kyle Tolin spoke after the win and said, "It was a good win against a very tough and well-coached team. There were several bright spots today and we battled through some adversity and figured out a way to get the win."

With the win in its season opener under its belt, UTPB (1-0) will take on the Adams State at 12 p.m.  Central Time / 11 a.m. Mountain Time tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 10).