LAREDO, Texas - Texas A&M International men's basketball (2-9, 0-5 LSC) dropped a 89-72 decision to UT Permian Basin (11-3, 3-1 LSC) on Saturday in the final game of 2019.

Both junior Matija Novkovic and Tom Higgins led the Dustdevils with 20 points. Novkovic added four rebounds, a steal and an assist, while Higgins added five rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal to his career-high point total. Senior Dominic Jackson contributed 10 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Things were tight throughout the first half with eight ties and eight lead changes in the period. Neither team was able to get more than a four-point spread for most of the half. The Falcons began to build some momentum late as they closed out the period on a 7-1 run to take a 42-35 lead into the intermission.

UTPB carried the momentum into the second half as they took their first double-digit lead of the game at 45-35 less than a minute into the period. TAMIU rallied and was able to trim the lead to 47-43 two minutes later. However, the Falcons counter punched with a 15-3 run that gave them a 62-46 advantage with 14 minutes left. The Dustdevils were able to cut into the lead and pull within nine points at 72-63 with 8:36 remaining, but that would be as close as they would get. UTPB immediately began a 13-3 run that ended with them holding an 86-66 lead with just over two minutes left. TAMIU showed some fight down the stretch though, as the closed out the game on a 6-3 run, cutting the Falcons victory to 89-72.

The Dustdevils will be back in action in 2020 as they travel to Dallas, Texas on Thurs., Jan. 2 for a Lone Star Conference showdown with DBU.