Feb. 5, 2005

Box Score

The University of Texas-Pan American men's basketball team (11-11) dropped its ninth road loss of the season with a 72-70 setback at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (15-6) on Saturday (Feb. 5).

Travis Bailey held the hot-hand for the Islanders as the senior connected on 10-18 shots from the floor, finishing with a game-high 26 points in 36 minutes of action. He also added a pair of rebounds, assists and steals to his credit.

The Broncs, who shot 35.5 percent (22-62) for the game, held a 41-39 lead over the Islanders at halftime, but were unable to keep the upper-hand in the second half. The Islanders grabbed the lead at 44-43 with 17:08 remaining in the game, following a pair of free throws from Taurean Mitchell.

Even with the slimmest of margin, the Islanders held the lead until UTPA was able to recapture it at 58-57 after Ray Castillo (San Antonio, TX/Temple College) grabbed an offensive rebound following a Sergio Sanchez (San Antonio, TX/Temple College) missed three-pointer for the lay-in. Castillo finished with a team-high 19 points, connecting on five treys in the contest, along with six rebounds and two assists. The Broncs shot 34.6 percent (9-26) from behind the arc and finished the two-game series with the Islanders at 28.1 percent (16-57).

Following a Travis Bailey lay-up to give the Islanders a 59-58 lead at the 6:52 mark, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi would never relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. While the Islanders held a seven-point lead at 69-62 with 1:08 remaining, the Broncs were able to battle back to cut the lead at one-point at 71-70 with 35 seconds remaining after a Castillo three-pointer.

However - Mitchell was able to convert on a free throw while Sanchez and Castillo each missed a trey at the end of the game that would have won the game for the Broncs. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi was able to escape with the 72-70 victory on its home floor.

Senior Eric Montalvo (La Joya, TX/La Joya H.S.) finished with 11 points and eight rebounds in 32 minutes of work while Zach Trader (LaPorte, TX/LaPorte H.S.) and Alvaidas Gedminas (Plunge, Lithuania/Kirtland Community College) each added eight points a piece. The Broncs won the battle of the boards in the game, holding a 42-39 advantage. UTPA also out-scored the Islanders, 41-16, with points of the bench.

Thomas Bailey finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Mitchell added 11 points, five assists and four steals.

The Broncs will be back in action on Monday (Feb. 7) against Vanderbilt with game time set for 7:00 p.m.

UTPA Sports Information