ODESSA, Texas (February 21, 2026) – Senior TJ McKenzie had it going on for The University of Texas Permian Basin men's basketball team, scoring the first points for the Falcons with a 3-pointer and finishing with 29 points during the Falcons' Senior Day. In addition to McKenzie's big performance, fellow-senior Sharrod Taylor added 15 points and nine assists and the Falcons finished by shooting over 50 percent from the field, but it would not be enough to push UTPB past No. 10 nationally-ranked and third-place Lubbock Christian University in a one-possession game, 80-77, on Saturday inside the Falcon Dome.

In addition to McKenzie and Taylor, it was Senior Day for Tash Lunday (13 points), Bryceson Burns (9 points, 2 blocks), and Kyle McElroy. Taylor, Burns and McElroy all notched six rebounds for the Falcons as well.

For the second game in a row, UTPB played as if it had nothing to lose and took the game all the way down to the wire.

McKenzie attempted to take matters into his own hands in the final five minutes, scoring on a jumper to make it 66-66 before tying it again (68-68) with a layup with under four minutes remaining.

McKenzie then drained a 3-pointer on the very next Falcons' possession to give UTPB a 71-68 lead with just over three minutes to go, and then another layup by McKenzie with two and a half minutes remaining made it a 73-71 UTPB advantage.

Unfortunately, a 3-pointer by Kendall Dow on the ensuing LCU possession put the Chapparals back in front at the 2:09 mark, and then a costly turnover by McKenzie saw Devin Baccas knock the ball away and take it in for a fastbreak layup to make it 76-73.

With 1:30 left, Burns made a layup, but missed the game-tying free throw trying to complete the and-one. In the final 17 seconds, LCU's Amondo Miller Jr. (24 points) missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving UTPB a chance down by just one possession (78-75), but Taylor went in for the layup instead of trying to force a 3-pointer, and his shot rimmed out. Lunday was able to grab the offensive rebound and put it back in to make it 78-77, but only three seconds remained, and after Kendall Dow this time made both free throws for LCU, a desperation heave from halfcourt by Taylor was off the mark.

The Falcons played hard and gave themselves a chance in a game that featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, including six ties and eight lead changes in the second half, but just came up short in the end.

UTPB shot 62.50 percent (20-32) from the field and 50 percent (4-8) from three in the second half, but was unable to pull out the win as LCU finished 6-for-10 from 3-point range in the second half.

UTPB's hot-shooting kept them either ahead or within striking distance for the entirety of the second half as neither team had better than a five-point lead in the final 20 minutes.

The Falcons also outshot the Chaps in the contest (53.4%-47.8%), marking just the fourth time this season an opponent has been more efficient than LCU.

UTPB Head Men's Basketball Coach Kyle Tolin said, "I am disappointed for our guys. I thought they did enough positive things to win today. I was proud of the fight and preparation they put into today."

With one week remaining in the regular season, UTPB falls to 10-16 overall and 6-12 in the Lone Star Conference.

UTPB will hit the road for its final two games of the season next week. The Falcons will battle No. 9 nationally-ranked Eastern New Mexico University at 8:30 p.m. Central Time / 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, February 26, followed by the regular-season finale at West Texas A&M University at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
 

Senior Day Recap:
Student Manager Pierre Bertille is a native of Reunion Island, France, and will graduate with his with his degree in exercise science. After graduating, Pierre plans to attend the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. His favorite memory from UTPB is being a part of the men's basketball team.

Bryceson Burns is from Houston, Texas, and is in his second year at UTPB after transferring from Midland College. A finance major, after graduation, Bryceson intends to play professional basketball overseas. His favorite memories from his time at UTPB were his first day on campus and hanging out with teammates after practice.

Tash Lunday is a team captain from Flandreau, South Dakota, and is in his first year at UTPB after transferring from Mount Marty University. Earlier this year, Tash was named UTPB's Men's Student-Athlete of the Month for December. A kinesiology master's student, after graduation, Tash intends to get a doctorate degree in physical therapy, work, and play pro basketball.

Kyle McElroy is a team captain from Chicago, Illinois, and is in his first year at UTPB after previously attending Cloud County Community College and the University of West Florida. After earning his Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, Kyle plans to play pro basketball.

TJ McKenzie is from Muskegon, Michigan, and is in his first year at UTPB after previously attending Hope College and Ferris State University. A communication and education major, after graduation, TJ plans to enter his name in the NFL draft with two degrees to fall back on. His favorite memories from his time at UTPB include going to the Elite 8 in football this Fall and making friends that will last a lifetime. TJ says that to Texas was the best choice he has ever made.

Sharrod Taylor is from Youngstown, Ohio, and is in his second year at UTPB after previously attending Lindenwood University and Ranger College. Earlier this year, Sharrod was named UTPBs Men's Student-Athlete of the Month for January, and was named the Lone Star Conference's Offensive Player of the Week after scoring 35 points in a 100-95 overtime road win over Texas A&M International University on Thursday, January 22. A communication major and history minor, after graduation, Sharrod plans to "Go be great", and his favorite thing about UTPB was his teammates.