ODESSA, Texas (January 9, 2025) – Playing in its first home game of the New Year, the University of Texas Permian Basin men's basketball team held on for a close 78-74 win over Eastern New Mexico University on Thursday night inside the Falcon Dome.

It was a highly competitive game, and despite UTPB leading by as many as 12 points (25-13) in the first half and leading by as many as 10 points in the second half, the two teams found themselves tied at 60-60 with seven minutes left.

DJ Armstrong put the Falcons up with a 3-pointer on the next UTPB possession, and then UTPB took an eight-point lead entering the final four minutes of play after a pair of free throws by Chuks Ejiofor made it 70-62.

A fastbreak layup by the Greyhounds' Austin Mo made it just a two-point game (72-70) with just over two minutes remaining, but after a timeout, the Falcons were able to get the ball inside to their big man, Dario Domingos, who drew the foul and sank both free throw shots with 1:53 on the clock.

The teams would go back-and-forth at the free throw line until the final minute of the game when after a pair of clutch free throws by ENMU's Trevyon Byrd to make it 76-74, an offensive rebound by Alex Matthews allowed the Falcons to run the game clock down to the final 10 seconds.

Coming off a game-winning layup with three seconds left its last time out, ENMU had no such opportunity this time around as Maison Adeleye put the finishing touches on the night with a strong layup off the assist from Matthews.

Shooting made all the difference as UTPB shot 44.6 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from three (8-21) and 20-for-27 (74.1 percent) from the free throw line while ENMU was 37.5 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three (6-18), and 14-for-20 (70.0 percent) from the foul line.

UTPB was victorious despite being outrebounded 47-35 overall and 18-5 on the offensive glass and being outscored 15-4 on second chance points and 38-30 on points in the paint.

The Greyhounds entered the night ranked second in NCAA Division II with a plus-23 scoring margin in addition to seven other top-10 national ranks. They were also fourth in the country and first in the conference in field goal percentage (51.6 percent) and were ninth in the nation in scoring (93.1 ppg), but UTPB was up to the task both offensively and defensively.

"This was a tough Lone Star Conference game against a good team," spoke Head Coach Kyle Tolin. "I thought we made enough plays to win the game. Several of our guys really stepped up and played well."

In addition to his game-sealing layup, Adeleye led all players with 26 points and added seven rebounds and three assists. He was 8-for-13 from the field, 4-for-7 from three and 6-for-8 from the free throw line. In addition, it was his third 20-point game in the last six games for the Falcons.

Matthews (14 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his first double-double of the season while also adding five assists, three blocks and two steals.

Armstrong (12 points) finished with four made 3-pointers while Freddie Word was a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe and finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

Domingos (10 points) made sure all five starters finished in double-figuring scoring for the Falcons.

Lastly, Ejiofor (5 points, 5 rebounds) and Sharrod Taylor (4 assists) each gave the Falcons some much-needed ammo off the bench.

UTPB, which as of this week sits in the top-10 of the D2CSC regional rankings, improves to 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the Lone Star Conference.

The Falcons remain at home on Saturday, January 11, when they host West Texas A&M University. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.