BOX SCORE

EDINBURG, Texas- The University of Texas Pan American women's basketball team improved their home record to 8-2 after a 72-53 win over the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders Saturday night at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The Broncs (11-17, 3-7 GWC) took the lead in the opening seconds with a jumper from Bianca Torre. The Highlanders (7-16, 3-5 GWC) responded with the next four points to take the lead 6-2. There were six ties and eight lead changes in the first half.

Erin Lewis hit two free throws with 5:03 left in the first half that gave the Broncs the 28-26, a lead that UTPA would not relinquish. Marcy Williams made a layup with 30 seconds left in the half that made the half time score 39-30 in favor of the Broncs.

UTPA shot 46.7% from the floor in the first half from the field and they took advantage of 10 NJIT first half turnovers and scored 18 points. Torre was 5-of-9 with 14 points in the first half to lead all scorers.

The second half was scoreless for the first three and a half minutes before Kimberley Dweck made a free throw at the 16:39 mark. NJIT got as close as two points after Jessica Gerald hit a three-point shot with 10:04 left in the game.

The Broncs responded with a 10-0 run that extended their lead to 59-47 with 6:36 left to play. Donna Jackson made a lay with 2:25 left in the game that made the score 70-53 which gave UTPA their largest lead of the night.

Both teams struggled in the second half as UTPA shot 25.9% and NJIT shot 23.3% from the field. The Broncs received 16 points from the bench that helped them to the 72-53 victory.

Torre led all scorers with 20 points including being a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Erin Lewis added 14 points and 5 assists on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Adanna Opara chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds while Ce'Monay Newell added 10 points.

NJIT had two players in double-figures as Rayven Johnson led them in scoring with 14 points with nine rebounds. Jessica Gerald chipped in 12 while going 6-of-6 from the free throw line.

The Broncs continue their home stand on March 3rd as the University of South Dakota invades the UTPA Fieldhouse with the tip-off scheduled for 5:30.