Box Score IGNACIO, Colo. – The University of Texas-Permian Basin shot over 60 percent on their way to defeating the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team at the Skyhawk Classic, 101-57, Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Trailing 6-0 early, WNMU came back with their own 5-0 run triggered by
Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) tallying a three-point-play and then a layup by
Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) left the Mustangs down by one at the 16:38 mark.
With UTPB back in front by as many as eight, Tanter collected two from the line and then
Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) added two more from the charity stripe at the 12:49 mark to pull WNMU to within four, 17-13. The Mustangs got to the free throw line often in the opening half going a perfect 19-for-19.
Tyler Shea (Rancho Cucamunga, CA/Alta Loma) helped the Mustangs get back to within five after another Falcon run with a pair from the line making it 24-19 near the midway point of the half.
That would end up being as close as WNMU would get the rest of the half with the Falcons going on a 25-10 run for the 49-29 lead at the break.
Shea tallied a layup and Tanter added another three-point-play a few minutes into the second half before UTPB again went on another run over the next several minutes on their way to claiming the victory.
Both teams spent a lot of time at the line with 59 combined fouls and three players fouling out.
Tanter led the way for WNMU with 16 points, going 6-of-13 from the field and also added three assists, four rebounds and a steal in 25 minutes.
Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) added 12 points, while Shea had 10 points and a team-high six rebounds.
Phadarius Taylor led the Falcons and all-scorers going for 18 points.
The Falcons shot well from the field making 61.4 percent (35-57), while holding a 7-3 edge in three-pointers and both teams made 24 free throws, with WNMU connecting at a 92.3 percent clip (24-26).
WNMU will face St. Mary's Saturday night at 5 p.m.
