UTPB men's basketball held off Oklahoma Panhandle State Saturday afternoon for an 86-78 victory in Heartland Conference action in Odessa.

The Falcons got off to a big start early in the game, stretching out a 15-13 lead with 3-pointers from Madison Turner, Andre Rieder and Xavier Martin to go ahead 24-13 with 13:49 remaining in the first half.

 The Aggies cut the lead down, and while never getting into single digits for much of the rest of the first half until a Codye Hatcher layup gave the Falcons a 10 point, 43-33 lead with 2:58 remaining. Thomas Feeney hit a 3-pointer with a second left in the first half to send the teams into the locker room with UTPB holding a 48-39 advantage.

Oklahoma Panhandle State rebounded in the second half, getting the score within a possession on a 3-pointer from Austin Beene at 52-49 with 15:54 to play. The Aggies later tied the game after a 3-pointer from John Lazenby and a basket from Antonio Manns, Jr. evened the score at 59-59, and they went ahead by a point when Lazenby hit the front end of a pair at the line. 

A layup from Malcolm Pope gave the Falcons back the lead for the final time and a pair of baskets from up close by Malcolm Hill-Bey increased the UTPB lead up to five.

UTPB pushed the lead back into double digits as the minutes wound down, hitting 13 straight free throws in going back on top by 11, 85-74, in wrapping up the eight point victory.

Hatcher led the way on offense with 26 points and 11 rebounds, both team highs. He hit 9-of-9 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Chris Griffin added 18 points and seven rebounds on the afternoon.

Manns, Jr. led all palyers with 27 points for Oklahoma Panhandle State.

UTPB his the road coming up this week, traveling to UA Fort Smith for a 7:30 Thursday evenining contest.