ODESSA, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (8-6, 1-4 LSC) came up short on Thursday evening against the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (11-4, 3-3 LSC), 83-76 in the UTPB Gym.

Despite making a season-high 15 three-pointers, TAMUK could not get the upper hand on UTPB who led wire-to-wire and matched the most points an opponent has scored on the Hogs all season. The Javelinas outscored the Falcons in the second half, but the slow start and eight turnovers in the first half really plagued the club in the loss. 

Caelan Neal matched his season-high 16 points and went 5-of-7 from three-point range. He now has scored in double-figures in six of the last seven games. Duan Wright was next in scoring as he dropped 15 points. Wright led the team with three steals, and tied Marcus Frazier with five rebounds (who also finished with nine points and a team-leading five assists) and also tied Elliot Taylor with two blocks. Justin Jones continues to thrive in his role and set a new season high of 14 points behind four three-pointers. 

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Caelan Neal, 16
Rebounds: Two players with five rebounds
Assists: Marcus Frazier, 5
Steals: Duan Wright, 3
Blocks: Two players with two blocks

UT Permian Basin
Points: Daeshon Francis, 20
Rebounds: Sammy Allen, 10
Assists: Daeshon Francis, 4
Steals: Two players with two steals
Blocks: Josh Morris, 2

1st Half
The Javelinas started slow and trailed 19-7 at the 12:15 mark, but Neal went on a personal 10-3 run to help his team pull within five points. With the score 29-25 in favor of UTPB with 6:20 on the clock, Jones connected on a triple to make it a one-point affair, although the Falcons soared right back with four unanswered points. Although the visiting team cut into the lead, three consecutive possessions ending in turnovers for the Hogs gave the Falcons a 43-34 halftime lead.

Neal was the spark for the Kingsville as he had 13 points after one half and hit four three-pointers. The Hogs shot 43.8% from long distance but the Falcons also shot well as the finished 51.6% from the floor, and 80% from the free throw line.

2nd Half
Jones hit two three balls in the first four minutes of the half but UT Permian Basin continued to match the Hogs shooting to hold a 58-49 lead at the 12:33 mark. Wright cleaned up a missed layup later in the half to slice the lead to three, 60-57, but a 7-2 run by the Falcons made it an eight-point game with 5:43 on the clock. Wright came back again and made a three-pointer with 46 seconds left followed by a jumper from Fazier. However, the Falcons continued to sink their free throws late to remain unbeaten at home with an 83-76 win.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Javelinas made seven three-pointers in the first half. 
• UTPB shot 51.6% from the floor, 37.5% from beyond-the-arc and 80% at the stripe.
• After Neal's 13 first half points, the next highest scorer Justin Jones with five points.
• UTPB led the entire game.
• The Falcons went 16-of-22 from the stripe in the second half and out-rebounded the Javs 44-25 overall. 
• UT Permian Basin is the second team this season to score 80 or more points on the Hogs this season.
• Kingsville set a season-high of 15 made three-pointers and outscored UTPB 42-40 in the second half. 
• TAMUK held UTPB to 2-of-9 shooting from downtown in the second half.
• Caelan Neal matched his career-high in scoring and Justin Jones increased his season-high to 14 points.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 76, UT Permian Basin 83
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (8-6, 1-4 LSC), UT Permian Basin (11-4, 3-3 LSC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 1-4 against UT Permian Basin
Location: UTPB Gym Odessa, Texas
Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.

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