ODESSA, Texas (Feb. 6, 2014) – Unfortunately for Oklahoma Christian, it was the same song, third verse, on the Eagles' current Heartland Conference road swing.
For the third straight game, OC fell into a deep hole and managed to almost climb out, only to fall agonizingly short in a 74-65 loss to Texas-Permian Basin on Thursday night at the Falcon Dome.
As they did at McMurry (Texas) and St. Edward's (Texas) last week, the Eagles trailed by double digits in the second half before staging a furious rally. OC (7-13, 3-9 Heartland) trailed by 21 points with 19:26 left against UTPB (13-7, 7-5) but cut that deficit to 61-58 with 3:58 left before the Falcons – who are fighting for a spot in the conference's postseason tournament – slammed the door.
"There's obviously a pattern that's developed," OC coach Dan Hays said. "I'm not sure why. We played a great second half, which isn't easy to do when you're on the road and they're a great team. We had chances at the end but just couldn't quite get it done. We're trying to solve the problem.
"There is no quit and our attitudes are good. We're practicing better than were playing and that's what's got me baffled at the start of these games."
Kendre Talley scored 19 points and added five assists to lead the Eagles, while John Moon had his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Willie Harper added 12 points.
"Willie Harper and John Moon both played solid, solid games," Hays said. "John with the double-double and I wish we could have gotten Willie a few more shots. He was sound and solid. Kendre also played well but we've come to expect that every night."
But the Eagles couldn't overcome a major deficit at the free-throw line – UTPB was 23-of-30, OC was 12-of-17 – and a 17-point, 17-rebound effort by the Falcons' Keith Martin. Madison Turner added 18 points for UTPB.
OC jumped to a quick 7-3 lead, but the Falcons scored the next 11 points and never trailed again.
The Eagles were within 17-13 after Zach Norris' basket with 9:39 left in the first half, but UTPB went on a 19-4 run and led 40-21 at halftime. The Falcons twice pushed their lead to 21 early in the second half, the latter at 44-23 on a basket by Dwayne Soders with 19:26 left.
OC responded with a 16-2 run and pulled within 46-39 after two free throws by Talley with 13:59 left. UTPB pushed its lead back to double digits at 61-49 with 6:57 left before the Eagles made one final push, scoring nine straight points. When Jordan VanDeKop hit two free throws with 3:58 left, OC trailed only 61-58.
Turner nailed a 3-pointer to restore UTPB's lead to six points with 3:31 left and the Falcons went 8-of-10 from the line in the final 2:42 to seal the win.
OC has lost five straight games but Hays said he remains optimistic about how the Eagles are progressing.
"I still think we haven't played our best basketball this year," he said. "You can never tell what I'm seeing and feeling by our record. But I still think that we are going to put together some games."
