Feb. 5, 2011

Final Stats

Texas A&M International University edged UT-Permian Basin 66-65 in a back-and-back forth Heartland Conference showdown on Saturday afternoon at the Falcon Dome in Odessa. There were 13 lead changes in the game with TAMIU taking the lead for good at 62-60 on a lay-up by James Silvie at the 3:58 mark of the second half.

TAMIU (16-7, 6-2 Heartland) would stretch the lead to 65-60 on two free throws by Scottie Payne at the 2:07 mark before UTPB (10-11, 4-4) cut the deficit to 65-62 on two free throws by Luis Crane at the 1:05 mark.

Payne missed a lay-up on TAMIU's next possession and Erick Martin grabbed the rebound for UTPB, setting up a chance for a game-tying 3-pointer. Jamal Holden missed the trey for the Falcons, however, with Will Faiivae being fouled after grabbing a huge rebound for the Dustdevils.

Faiivae missed his first free throw attempt with five seconds left in regulation but hit the second to stretch the Dustdevil lead to 66-62. Crane hit a 3-pointer for the Falcons at the buzzer to cut his team's losing deficit to one point.

Faiivae led the Dustdevils with 15 points. Silvie finished with 12 points and Payne with 11 points. Evan Matteson contributed eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.

TAMIU and St. Mary's are now tied atop the Heartland Conference standings with 6-2 records in league play. The Rattlers defeated St. Edward's 70-58 on Saturday afternoon in Austin.