WICHITA FALLS, Texas (December 5, 2025) – The University of Texas Permian Basin women's basketball team outscored Midwestern State University 22-7 in the first quarter, shot over 50 percent from the field in each of the first three quarters of the game, and ran away with a 68-45 victory over the Mustangs on Friday.

After falling to the No. 4-ranked team in the country by just six points (65-59) last time out and holding the Lady Chapparals to their lowest field goal percentage of the season, the Falcons used that momentum and played confidently from the start against the Mustangs.

It was a hot start for UTPB (4-4 overall, 1-1 Lone Star Conference), which saw Kenadi Rising hit a 3-pointer in the opening minute followed by a layup to make it 5-0. UTPB then led by eight points (13-5) after a fallaway jumper by Mikalah Buckley rattled in just under six minutes into the game. UTPB made six of its first nine shots to that point.

Coming out of the first media timeout of the game, a 3-pointer by Jonesha Neal made it 16-7, and then UTPB took advantage with six straight second chance points to close out the first quarter up by 15 points (22-7).

UTPB made nine of its 17 shots in the first quarter and held MSU to under 30 percent (4-14) and to without a free throw attempt. The Falcons also led an impressive 16-2 on the boards and 6-1 on the offensive glass, contributing to an 11-0 lead on second chance points.

The Falcons did not slow up in the second quarter, leading by 20 points (31-11) after a layup by Jasmin Holt following a Mustangs' turnover, giving UTPB an 8-2 lead on points off turnovers.

UTPB made each of its first six shots of the second quarter and went on a 12-0 run to break the game open (34-11) before the halfway point in the quarter.

The Falcons did an excellent job in the first half finishing off their possessions and scoring around the basket, leading to a 22-4 advantage on points in the paint in the first 20 minutes. UTPB would ultimately finish the game with a 40-14 advantage on points in the point.

Despite missing its final six shots of the first half and not scoring a field goal in the final 4:37 of the period, the Falcons still shot 50 percent for the second quarter in a row while their defense was even better, holding the Mustangs to just 20 percent (3-15) in the second quarter. It was more of the same in the third quarter as UTPB shot over 50 percent from the field and held MSU under 30 percent.

UTPB finished the game with a season-high 49.1 shooting percentage and held MSU to 27.8 percent, its third time this season holding its opponent to under 30 percent shooting. It was also the second time UPTB held its opponent to under 50 points.

UTPB made six 3-pointers for the second game in a row, and has made at least five threes in each of the last three games.

Rising finished 8-for-15 from the field, sank two 3-pointers, and led all players in points (season-high 19) and rebounds (8), including four offensive rebounds. Ja'Nya Thomas, Buckley, Neal and Holt all supplied nine points for UTPB as well.

Head Coach Rae Boothe said, "It was a great team win. Our players continue to do a great job defensively. Today we got the lid off the basket a little bit and shot better. Kenadi had a solid game as she led us in points and rebounds. Then Thomas, Buck, Neal and Holt each had nine. I am proud of our team."

It was a big win as MSU (2-4, 1-1) was picked ninth in the LSC Preseason Poll, one spot behind UTPB. MSU was coming off a 65-58 upset win over Angelo State University in its conference opener on Wednesday night, but had no such luck against the tough Falcons' defense on Friday.

UTPB also held Kerbie Cash, the reigning LSC Freshman of the Year and MSU's leading scorer this season, to just six points on 2-for-13 shooting from the field. Cash led the team with 23 points, connecting on 7-of-16 field goals and two 3-pointers in the Mustangs' win vs. Angelo State.

The 23-point win was the Falcons' biggest win against a conference opponent since a 29-point win (83-54) at Western New Mexico University on January 5, 2025, last Spring.

UTPB will return home next week to host its two first home conference games of the season against Texas A&M University-Kingsville at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, and Texas A&M International University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.