NEWARK, N.J. - The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) women's basketball (8-11, 0-1 GWC) team dropped a 68-60 decision to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders (4-10, 1-0 GWC) this afternoon in Newark, N.J. Today's contest marked the first Great West Conference (GWC) game of the season for both teams.
The Highlanders Kimberly Dweck sunk the first basket of the game with a layup, followed by another shot from Rayven Johnson to give NJIT the four-point advantage. Donna Jackson responded for the Broncs with a layup and Bianca Torre made a free throw shot to give UTPA their first points of the contest.
Johnson quickly fired off another shot for NJIT, sinking a three, but Ce'Monay Newell answered with a shot from downtown to bring the score to 8-6 with 16:43 remaining in the first half.
The Broncs were able to get within one point, 16-15, of the Highlanders at the 10:55 mark when Donna Jackson nailed a jumper. Johnson and Dweck came back with back-to-back baskets, but were stopped by a jumper from Torre. Playing off the momentum, Ashley Watson followed up with another jumper for the Broncs.
In the last four minutes of the half, UTPA sent Jessica Gerald to the line three times, where she went 5-6.
With two minutes left in the first half, Newell fired off another three. Jasmine Gordon and LaQuita Garner were also able to connect with the basket to the Broncs into the half seven points behind the Highlanders 35-28.
Ivana Seric opened the second half with a layup that was followed by two shots at the line from Gerald to put NJIT up 39-28. Newell responded with her third three-point field goal of the night to stop the Highlanders. Maria Ben Erlingsdottir followed up with a layup, and Newell knocked down another shot from behind the arc.
Gerald answered for the Highlanders with a three and Uju Nwankwo posted a layup to keep NJIT in the lead with 13:30 remaining in the game.
At the 9:33 mark, Jackson sunk another two-point shot and made it to the line on a foul from Kristian Parker. Torre followed up with a three-point shot and two free throws. Once again, Jackson connected on a jumper, and with 5:04 remaining the Broncs were down by one point, 51-50.
Ben Erlingsdottir, Newell and Lewis continued to knock down shots for the Broncs, but could not get past Dweck and Gerald. The Highlanders claimed the game 68-60.
Newell led the Broncs with 16 points, followed by Jackson with 15 points, and Torre chipped in 12 points.
The Broncs continue this week's GWC road trip at Chicago State Saturday, Jan. 15. Tipoff against the Cougars is set for 2 p.m. (CT).
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