Jan. 16, 2010
Final Stats
Texas A&M International University edged UT-Permian Basin 37-36 in Heartland Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Falcon Dome on the UTPB campus in Odessa. The point total is the lowest ever for the Dustdevils in a winning effort with the previous low of 59 points being set twice during the 2006-07 season.
Bernard Burrell tied the score 8-8 with a jumper at the 12:31 mark of the first half but the Dustdevils made only two field goals the rest of the period, allowing UTPB to claim a 21-12 halftime lead.
UTPB led 30-20 with 12 minutes left in the game but TAMIU would not quit and the Dustdevils slowly clawed their way back into the defensive-minded struggle. Elijah Jordan pushed UTPB to a 34-29 lead on a 3-pointer at the 4:48 mark but a tip-in by Gary Matthews Jr. and a 3-pointer by Chris Swan tied the score 34-34 at the 3:08 mark.
After the score was tied the two teams combined to miss the next five field goal attempts. Justin Bailey broke the tie when he made a layup to give the Falcons a 36-34 lead with 34 seconds left in regulation.
Luis Gómez then connected on a 3-pointer on TAMIU's next possession, lifting his team to a 37-36 lead with only 16 seconds remaining. UTPB's Jordan then missed a jumper with nine seconds left and Will Faiivae grabbed the defensive rebound for the Dustdevils.
The Falcons then committed three quick fouls to send Evan Matteson to the free throw line with four seconds left. Matteson missed the front end of an one-and-one and Austin Williams grabbed the defensive rebound for the Falcons but UTPB's desperation shot sailed high and right of the goal.
After making only 6 of 18 field goal attempts (33.3 %) in the first half the Dustdevils recovered somewhat to finish by making 15 of 37 field goals (40.5 %) for the game. UTPB made 14 of 42 field goals (33.3 %) for the game.
TAMIU finished with a 28-25 rebounding edge while also finishing with a 7-3 advantage in steals. The Dustdevils committed 15 turnovers compared to 10 for the Falcons.
Burrell led the Dustdevils with 10 points with Gómez contributing 8 points and 6 rebounds. Faiivae contributed a team-high 10 rebounds.
TAMIU returns to action next Saturday with a conference road contest against St. Edward's. Tip-off against the Hilltoppers is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
