SAN ANTONIO, Texas (December 18, 2024) – Alex Matthews had it going early and often on Wednesday for UT Permian Basin men's basketball. In the final game of the River City Holiday Classic, the Falcons battled hard against the No. 2-ranked team in the country, but after leading 36-32 at halftime, fell 76-62 to Washburn University. It was the first time this season the Ichabods trailed at the break, but Washburn was able to turn up the defense and control its turnovers in the second half.

Matthews was the star for UTPB (8-3 overall), scoring a season-high 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field. He was followed by DJ Armstrong, Freddie Word and Dario Domingos with eight points apiece.

The Falcons played the first half as if they had nothing to lose, battling through six ties and nine lead changes before leading themselves by as many as nine points (34-25) after a 9-0 run featuring a pullup jumper by Matthews, a layup by Word, a stepback 3-pointer by Armstrong, and a layup by Maison Adeleye late in the opening period.

The nine-point deficit was Washburn's largest deficit of the season. The opening 20 minutes saw the Ichabods turn the ball over eight times leading to eight points for the Falcons. In addition, UTPB led 18 to 14 on the glass in the first half.

The Falcons, however, would go on to shoot just 9-for-25 (36 percent) from the field and 2-for-8 (25 percent) from three in the second half.

Washburn (11-0) was able to pull away by shooting 5-for-7 (71.4 percent) from three over the final 20 minutes and going 10-for-16 (62.5 percent) from three for the game. It was the highest 3-point field goal percentage the Falcons have surrendered this season and was the highest allowed since UTPB's 2022-23 season opener (11/11/22).

The Ichabods outscored the Falcons 17-9 in the first 5:15 of the second half to take a 49-45 lead. UTPB's last lead of the contest came with 12:03 left after a 3-point shot by Matthews made it 51-50 Falcons, but the 12th and final lead change of the game came one possession later on a layup by Washburn, starting a 10-2 run for the Ichabods.

A pair of free throws by Domingos with 7:05 left made it a five-point deficit 62-57 before Washburn went on a 9-0 run featuring an ally-oop dunk.

UTPB missed nine straight shots after the 3-pointer by Matthews with 12 minutes left and did not make another field goal until a 3-pointer by Sharrod Taylor with three and a half minutes to go when it was a 14-point game (71-57).

Head Coach Kyle Tolin spoke about his team's effort at the River City Holiday Classic this week, saying "I thought there were lots of bright spots for the week. I'm encouraged with a lot of things and believe we will come back and continue to get better and move things in the right direction."

Matthews added three steals to the Falcons' effort while Chuks Ejiofor chipped in with three blocks.

The Falcons are off the remainder of the holiday break. They're back in action on January 3 at Sul Ross State University.