ODESSA, Texas – Texas A&M International men's basketball came just short of a double digit comeback, falling to UT Permian Basin 72-68 in the Lone Star Conference opener.
 
It was all Dustdevils (5-2, 0-1 LSC) in the first 6:45 of the game, jumping out to an 18-6 lead.
 
Over the next three plus minutes, the Falcons (5-2, 1-0 LSC) would utilize a 10-0 run to trim the deficit to 18-16.
 
With 4:57 remaining, TAMIU would build the lead back to eight and led 30-22, but over the remaining minutes of the half, UTPB would outscore the Dustdevils 14-5 to lead 36-35 at the half.
 
Out of halftime, the score was tied 38-38 just over two minutes in, then the Falcons would later open a 52-47 lead with 12:22 remaining and then used a small 6-0 run to open a double-digit lead.
 
The deficit was 11 points, with a 65-54 score in favor of UTPB with 4:59 left and the an 8-0 TAMIU run brought the score within three at 2:46 and it was then 65-62.
 
With 37 seconds left, the Dustdevils made it a 68-66 game, but the Falcons would hit their free throws to seal the win.
 
For the game, TAMIU shot just 49%, going 25-for-51 from the floor, but struggled behind the arc, going just 4-for-15. The Dustdevils also saw free throw woes, going 14-for-23.
 
On the other side, UTPB finished 23-for-43 (53.5%) from the floor, and 3-for-7 (31%) from three. The big difference was the free throws, where the Falcons made 23 of 27 attempts.
 
The Dustdevils were led in scoring by junior Tyrese Davis with 16 points and he also had a team high six rebounds.
 
Sophomore Lonzo Rand in his first collegiate start scored 13 points and fellow sophomore Tiras Morton had 11 points alongside five rebounds and four blocks.
 
TAMIU's road trip concludes on Saturday, Dec. 3 when it faces Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas. Opening tip is slated for 3 p.m.