Dec. 20, 2003

HOUSTON, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's men's basketball team fell one comeback short in their game against Rice at Autry Court Saturday afternoon. The Broncs took an early lead and came back twice after falling behind, but fell short and lost to the Owls, 69-58.

Texas-Pan American fell behind early in the second half and trailed, 49-32 with 15:12 remaining before they began their final comeback. Junior guard Sergio Sanchez (San Antonio, TX/South San Antonio HS/Temple College) started the Broncs off with a three-pointer, and UTPA outscored the Owls, 20-6 to pull to within three points at 55-52 with five minutes remaining.

Michael Harris hit two free throws for the Owls, and Jason McKreith hit a free throw and two jump shots to put Rice ahead, 62-54. Junior forward Chris Fagan (Bronx, NY/Storm King HS/Trinidad State) connected on a trey to make it 62-57, but Rice made five free throws in the final 1:44 to preserve their lead.

Texas-Pan American started off the game quickly, making their first four shots and taking a 10-0 lead. Senior forward Allen Holcomb (Chicago, IL/Steinmetz HS/Allen County CC) began the run with a layup, and senior forward Andrius Sakalys (Vilnius, Lithuania/M.Dauksos HS/Eastern Oklahoma State) followed with two three-pointers and a layup.

Rice came right back. After Head Coach Willis Wilson called time out, the Owls outscored the Broncs, 29-7 to build a 29-17 lead with 3:55 remaining. The Broncs then scored nine of the final 14 points of the first half to cut Rice's lead to 34-26 at halftime.

"We had our opportunities after we fought like crazy to get back to where we were," said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "We made a valiant effort to get back in it. Rice is a very good team, and they came out at the beginning of the second half like we came out at the beginning of the game. We're still not shooting the ball as we can, or as we'd like, but we were getting good shots. We are getting better, and we're getting real close to where we need to be. We switched defenses, but Michael Harris is a man. I don't know how he's not playing football. He and Allen Holcomb would make great tight ends."

Sanchez led the Broncs with 15 points, 12 in the second half. Sakalys added 12 points, while Fagan added 11. Holcomb and sophomore forward Derrick East (Binger, OK/Lookeba-Sickles HS) grabbed eight rebounds each as Texas-Pan American outrebounded the Owls, 42-41.

Harris led Rice with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while McKreith added 16 points and five assists. Brock Gillespie added 14 points, and J.R. Harrison added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Broncs fell to 3-7 with the defeat, while the Owls improved to 6-2. Texas-Pan American will return to action when they visit Oklahoma State Monday evening.