ODESSA, Texas – The Mountaineers of Western State Colorado University wanted to face the top teams in the region to begin the 2017-18 season. On Friday night, Western faced the first of back-to-back games against ranked teams. The Mountaineers almost pulled off the upset against No. 11 University of Texas – Permian Basin, but fell 79-89 in the season opener.
 
It was a shootout from the tipoff. Both teams were hitting nearly half their shots in the first half. Western (0-1, 0-0 RMAC) shot 48.28 percent (14-of-29) from the field in the first half, while UTPB (1-0, 0-0 LSC) shot 48.48 percent (16-of-33).
 
Western didn't look like an underdog in the first half, they looked like competitors. The Mountaineers continually found baskets and with 7:00 remaining in the first half, Collin Smith hit a three-pointer, giving Western a 33-32 lead.
 
Smith led all players and tied a career high in points with 21. Smith has now scored 21 points in Western's last two regular season games. The senior forward scored 21 points against New Mexico Highlands University in last season's final game.
 
At the halftime break, the Mountaineers trailed the Falcons by just two possessions, 41-47.
 
After surviving an early run by UTPB in the second half, Western began chipping away the Falcon lead.
 
An 11-2 run over 2:53, the Mountaineers pulled within five at the 11:17 mark. Six of those points came off two three-point field goals by Smith.
 
Western continued to exchange field goals with UTPB and were down five points, 65-70, with 7:48 left to play.
 
After a Falcon run, the Mountaineers were down just eight points with 1:39 remaining. However, UTPB prevailed, 79-89.
 
Four Mountaineers hit double figures in scoring as Western shot 41.9 percent (26-for-62) from the field and 31.4 percent (11-for-35) beyond the three-point line. Monroe Porter scored 12 points for Western, while Ben Beauchamp and Quincy Harding added 11 points. Brady Subart recorded 10 points.
 
Western will continue the season against the 21^st ranked West Texas A&M University Buffs. The game in Amarillo, Texas is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MT) on Saturday.