MOBILE, Ala. - Taller Western Kentucky came from behind to edge the University of Texas-Pan American Broncs, 3-2, to begin the Sun Belt Conference Soccer Championships here Thursday.

Mario Ribera, the super UT Pan-American freshman from Bolivia, put the Texans ahead, 1-0, on a crossing pass from Victor Ramos with 13:58 gone in the first half.

WKU's Hilltoppers equalized on Rory Lithgow's header at 24:27 and it was 1-1 at the half. Lithgow is from South Africa.

Then Brian Sekelsky's header on an indirect kick and a breakaway goal climaxed by Lithgow put WKU on top 3-1 with 6 1/2 minutes to go.

Ramos dribbled his way to the goal and scored to  make it 3-2 with 3 1/2 minutes left, but that ended the scoring.

The statistics were remarkably even. WKU had nine shots on goal, UTPA seven. Each had two corner kicks. Goalie Albert Flores of the Broncs matched WKU with one save. Both sides had eight fouls.

The Broncs fell to a 10-2 record. They meet Thursday's loser between South Alabama and Jacksonville for third place Friday. WKU is now 8-9-2, advancing to the semifinals against Arkansas-Little Rock on Friday.

Under the five-team tournament format, the SBC is single-elimination for the championship, but the two first round losers play for third place Friday.