The DBU Patriot Basketball Team came up just two points short in their first Heartland Conference road game on Thursday evening, falling to UT Permian Basin, 68-70. The Patriots (8-6, 0-2) are still seeking their first conference win after falling to preseason favorite, St. Mary's, earlier in the week.

DBU struggled from behind the arc throughout the night, only connecting on two three-pointers. DBU entered Thursday's matchup as the conference leader in three-point field goal percentage at 39 percent, but only managed a season low, 13 percent against the Falcons. Junior Jordan McGowen made the only two shots from downtown for the Patriots, both coming in the second half.

The two teams battled back and forth throughout the first half, exchanging the lead on four separate occasions. Junior Ishmael Awange threw down a thunderous dunk followed with another layup late in the first half, to give the Patriots a two point lead with just under two minutes on the clock. However, UTPB connected on a jumper at the buzzer to take a 32-29 lead at the break.

The Falcons held on to their lead through the first eight minutes of the second half, but a free throw from Junior T.J. Clark and a jumper from McGowen gave DBU a 48-45 lead. DBU held as much as a seven point lead late in the half, but the Falcons put together a 10-2 run over the ensuing three minutes to take a 64-63 lead with 2:16 left.

A layup by Sophomore Nick Fox gave DBU a one point advantage, 65-64, with just over a minute to play, but that was all DBU would manage. Down by one, the Patriots were forced to foul, and the Falcons connected on four consecutive free throws to take a five point lead. McGowen's second three-pointer at the buzzer pulled the Patriots to within two, 68-70, but the Falcons earned their second Heartland Conference victory.

McGowen led all scorers with 25 and finished with a team-high eight rebounds. Clark was the only other Patriot in double figures, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Patriots will continue their road-swing on Saturday afternoon, as they travel to Austin to face St. Edward's University.  Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.