EDINBURG, Texas – Sophomore guard Brandon Provost's potential game-tying three-point attempt fell just short as time expired as the University of Texas – Pan American (UTPA) men's basketball team dropped a tight one to Lamar University 85-82 Tuesday night at the UTPA Fieldhouse. The loss is the fourth straight for the Broncs.
The Broncs (1-5) battled all night with the physical, high-powered offense of the Cardinals (3-2). The Broncs began the game with the lead with a Provost three-pointer from the top of the key. At the 16:07 mark of the first half the Broncs took a 10-6 lead on Aaron Urbanus' lay-up. The Cardinals rallied with a 14-2, capped off by a pair of Anthony Miles free throws to take a 20-12 lead. The Broncs pulled to within two points at 35-33 on an Urbanus three-pointer with 3:05 remaining in the half. Lamar would go into the locker room at halftime with a 40-35 lead.
The second half saw the Broncs regain the lead in the early moments. Perry Petty hit a jumper at the 18:39 mark to cap a 6-0 run to give the Broncs a 41-40 lead. The remainder of the second half was back and forth, featuring five ties and 10 lead changes.
With 5:26 remaining in the game the Cardinals lead 76-69, prompting another Texas-Pan American rally. The Broncs ran off a 7-1 run, with Jared Maree hitting a jumper from the elbow to tie the game at 77 with 2:54 remaining. The final minute was tense. Perry pulled the Broncs within a trey with 52-seconds remaining in the game. Lamar answered back as Mike James hit a deep three-pointer with the shot clock winding down to give the Cardinals a 84-78 lead with 24-seconds remaining. Urbanus took advantage of a Cardinal turnover and knocked down his third three-pointer of the game to pull UTPA within a basket. After Lamar went just 1 out-of 2 at the foul line, the Broncs had the chance for the final heave from Provost that fell just short.
The 82 points the Broncs scored on Tuesday was their highest scoring output of the season. The Broncs shot 50% from the field and hit 52% of their three-point attempts on Tuesday. Pettylead the Broncs with a career high 21-points; adding eight board and five assists. Matt Mierzycki was next on the score sheet with 14 points and five rebounds. Urbanus and Jared Maree each had 11, while Provost finished with nine points and three helpers.
Charlie Harper led the Cardinals with 18-points and six-rebounds. James was light-out from the field hitting six of his eight shots for 16 points. Miles and Brandon Davis each had eight for the hot-shooting Cardinals. Lamar shot 53% from the field and 58% from beyond the arc. The Cardinals now lead the all-time series 40-28.
The Broncs will try to break their four-game skid on Wednesday night when they host State University of New York (SUNY) – Cobleskill at the UTPA Fieldhouse. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7:00 PM
