ODESSA, Texas (January 6, 2025) – Junior center Khiara Flugence of The University of Texas Permian Basin women's basketball team was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Flugence posted double-digit rebounds to go along with at least one block and one steal in each game in the road wins against Sul Ross State (79-50) and Western New Mexico (83-54). She grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds, including nine defensive rebounds, and two blocks at Sul Ross State (Jan. 3). The 15 rebounds list at ninth for LSC single-game rebounds this season. Flugence came back with 11 boards at Western New Mexico (Jan. 5) and recorded 13 of her two-game 26 rebounds on the defensive end. Flugence added three blocks, and two steals while helping UTPB hold the two opponents to .333 shooting from the field.

UTPB Head Coach Rae Boothe said, "Khi was phenomenal this week. She dominated the boards, was extremely efficient from the field and did a great job protecting the paint."

In addition to improving to 8-5 overall, 6-1 in the Lone Star Conference is the Falcons' best start in the league since joining in 2016-17.

The second half of the Lone Star Conference women's basketball season got off to a solid start with a full slate of division matchups. Four teams – two in the East Division and two in the West Division – kept their division won-loss records clean as each opened 2025 with a pair of victories. UT Tyler and Texas A&M-Kingsville are 3-0 atop the East Division while Lubbock Christian and UT Permian Basin lead the West Division at 3-0. Season standings based on the overall LSC record – games vs. all conference opponents – show six teams tied for the top spot, all with 6-1 (.857) marks: Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico, Lubbock Christian, Texas Woman's, UT Permian Basin and UT Tyler.

The Falcons return home this week to host Eastern New Mexico University at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and West Texas A&M University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 11.

LSC Women's Basketball Release – Week 9