BOX SCORE
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota – Despite a red-hot offensive effort in the second half the University of Texas-Pan American men's basketball team could not overcome a double digit first-half deficit, as the Broncs dropped their 12th straight game 91-82 to the University of North Dakota Thursday night at the Sioux Center.
The Broncs (3-18, 0-4 GWC) trailed 43-33 after the first twenty minutes of play thanks to the blistering hot start of the North Dakota offense. The Sioux (9-10, 2-1 GWC) hit six of their nine first half three-point attempts and shot 63% overall in the first half which helped hold back any first half UTPA runs.
North Dakota started the game on a 10-3 run, capped off by a Patrick Mitchell three-pointer, to lead by seven with 16:00 to play in the half. At the 12:35 mark Ruben Cabrera hit one of two free throws to pull UTPA back within a point at 13-12. The Sioux responded with a 14-2 run and led 27-14 with 8:00 to play until the intermission.
The Broncs would not go quietly as they responded with an 11-3 run, capped off by a Ruben Cabrera three-point play pulling the Broncs to within five at 30-25 with 5:37 to play until the half. The Sioux outscored UTPA over the final minutes of the opening half 13-7 and lead 43-33 at the break.
The Broncs came out strong to start the second half. Aaron Urbanus hit a pair of threes and Julius Hearn added a dunk at the 17:51 mark to pull the Broncs to within four at 45-41. The Sioux responded with eight straight points and UND lead 53-41 with 16:22 remaining in regulation.
With 7:45 to play in regulation, Urbanus hit his fourth three-pointer of the second half and the Broncs pulled to within four again at 71-67. UTPA would get as close as three at the 4:41 mark. With the Sioux up five, Aaron Anderson hit a big lay-up to increase the Sioux lead to seven with 1:52 to play. The Broncs would not get closer than six the rest of the way.
The Broncs were lights-out from downtown in the second half, hitting eight of their ten three-point attempts. UND was nearly as effective hitting six of their ten second half threes. Both teams shot an identical 12-19 (63%) from beyond the arc for the game. UND was hot from all over the floor hitting 29 of their 47 shots for a blistering 62% shooting percentage.
Urbanus, who hit five of his seven three-point attempts, and Cabrera each scored 20 points to lead all scorers. Cabrera added seven boards while Urbanus chipped with three assists. Brandon Prvost chipped in with 13 points, six boards and a team high five assists. Jared Maree also added 13 points for UTPA. The Broncs won the rebounding battle 27-26 and had their lowest turnover total (11) since their win over Victory University on December 5th.
Josh Schuller led the Sioux with 19 points. The real star for UND was Branson Brekke who scored 17 points with 11 rebounds in 25 minutes before fouling out. Jamal Webb scored 10 and dished out a game high eight assists. Troy Huff scored 15 points and Anderson added 13 points with five assists.
The Broncs wrap up their season long seven game road trip on Saturday when they take on the Coyotes of the University of South Dakota in Great West Conference action. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 8:00 PM.
