Dec. 4, 2003
New Page 1
KANSAS CITY, MO-Missouri-Kansas City caught fire early, used
two first-half runs to take a commanding lead, and went on to a 104-80 victory
over The University of Texas-Pan American's men's basketball team at Municipal
Auditorium Thursday evening.
UMKC took control of the game early. After junior forward
Chris Fagan (Bronx, NY/Storm King HS/Trinidad State HS) hit a three-pointer for
the Broncs to tie the game at 15-all six minutes into the first half, the
Kangaroos scored the next 14 points, took a 27-15 lead, and were never headed.
Michael Watson scored seven consecutive points during the run, connecting on
four consecutive three-pointers and hitting a three-pointer to increase UMKC's
lead from 18-15 to 25-15.
A layup by senior forward Allen Holcomb (Chicago,
IL/Steinmetz HS/Allen County CC) cut the Kangaroos' lead to eight, but
Missouri-Kansas City went on a 15-2 run to go up, 42-19, with 6:30 remaining in
the first half. The Broncs outscored UMKC in the second half, 49-48, but they
could get no closer than 19 points.
"In the first half, we played them even for the first five
minutes, but then they made shots and got to the rim, and we just stood around,"
said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "Michael Watson hit some shots in the first
half, and he got them going. In the second half, we shot better, we executed
better and we played better basketball. We got them out of their element, and
that's what we have to do. We have to continue to get better."
Junior guard Sergio Sanchez (San Antonio, TX/South San
Antonio HS/Temple HS) led the Broncs with 15 points, all of them coming in the
second half. He also added six assists. Junior center Alvaidas Gedminas (Plunge,
Lithuania/Laivite HS/Kirtland CC) added 12 points, while Holcomb had 11 points
and grabbed three rebounds as UTPA outrebounded the Kangaroos, 41-38.
Watson led UMKC with 27 points, Mike English added 18,
Brandon Temple had 16, Javon Clark scored 16 and Corey Starks had 12.
The Broncs fell to 2-3 with the defeat, while UMKC improved
to 2-2 with the victory. Texas-Pan American will return to action when they
complete their two-game road trip at Texas-San Antonio Saturday night.
