The UTPB men’s basketball team used a strong second half to pull away from Western New Mexico in an 83-66 victory Thursday at Falcon Dome.
Beginning the second half of Lone Star Conference play, the Falcons defeated the Mustangs for a second time this season.
UTPB (which last defeated Western New Mexico in an 80-64 contest back on Jan. 5 in Silver City, N.M.) improved to 14-6 overall, 10-4 in Lone Star Conference and remain in first in the LSC West Division.
Western New Mexico fell to 4-16, 3-11 and remain second to last in the division.
The Falcons’ lead was only 43-40 at the half but UTPB used a 26-11 run to start the second half to put the Mustangs away.
“I thought we played better on the defensive end of the floor,” UTPB head coach Kyle Tolin said of his team’s second half performance. “That was the emphasis at halftime since they scored 40 points in that first half. I didn’t think we guarded very well and that was the emphasis at practice all week long. We have to get better defensively … I think we did a better job of guarding in the second half. We also got going and made some shots.”
UTPB was led in scoring by Alex Matthews and Sharrod Taylor as both players had 20 points while Dario Domingos had 19.
As a team, the Falcons went 26-of-70 on field goals and 11-of-27 on 3-pointers while shooting 20-of-25 on free throws.
The Mustangs were led by Matthew Okoye’s 20 points while Carson Kelly had 19 and James McCallum had 14.
Western New Mexico shot 25-of-63 on field goals, 6-of-19 on 3-pointers and 10-of-17 on free throws.
Western New Mexico began the game on a 7-2 run as Okoye and Donovan Black both scored from inside the perimeter.
UTPB responded with a 17-7 run.
The Falcons made it 21-14 after a media timeout as Maison Adeleye made two free throws.
Western New Mexico, however, found a way to get back into the game and by the 5:30 mark, the Mustangs were only down 33-31 after a three-point play by James McCallum.
Free throws by Taylor gave the Falcons a 37-33 lead with 4:04 left.
The Mustangs kept things close and UTPB’s lead was only 43-40 with 1:18 left in the half after a 3-pointer by James McCallum.
A 3-pointer attempt by Taylor didn’t fall through at the buzzer and the Falcons’ lead was only at three points at the half.
Taylor scored two 3-pointers early in the second half and UTPB built a 57-47 lead with 14:21 left.
Then, DJ Armstrong added an outside shot as the Falcons built a 13-point lead.
Matthews made two free throws as UTPB took a 62-49 lead with 13:36 left.
Domingos was fouled and sent to the line at the 10:10 mark where he made both shots to give the hosts a 64-49 advantage.
A transition bucket by Matthews saw him get fouled by McCallum. Matthews was sent to the line and completed the three-point play.
UTPB kept up its momentum as Domingos’ dunk gave the Falcons a 69-49 lead with 9:03 left.
Domingos added an inside jumper with 3:07 left to give the Falcons an 81-63 lead and UTPB wouldn’t be denied.
“Western New Mexico is playing better and they beat Lubbock Christian a few weeks ago and Texas A&M-Kingsville so they’re playing better,” Tolin said. “Beating someone twice is like double wins because of the tie-breaker scenario gives us two wins over them. It was another good win against a good opponent.
Next up for the Falcons is a 3:30 p.m. Saturday home game against Sul Ross State Saturday at Falcon Dome.
Western New Mexico will next face Angelo State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in San Angelo.
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