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BOX SCORE
EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Texas-Pan American mens basketball team could not erase a 24-point first half deficit, despite a furious second half rally as they dropped their 14th straight game to Great West Conference rival Utah Valley University.
The Wolverines (13-9, 5-1) took control of the game early thanks to the hot-shooting of Isiah Williams. Williams hit a three-pointer with 17:40 to play in the first period to give the Wolverines the quick 8-1 lead. The Broncs (3-20, 0-6) pulled to within four at 15-11 after Brandon Provost hit a three. Then UVU began to push the Broncs deeper into the hole.
What followed was a Utah Valley 21-3 run which included eight points from Williams. His three with 6:39 to play until the intermission gave the Wolverines a 2-point advantage at 36-14. Later in the half Holton Hunsacker, son of UVU head coach Dick Hunsacker, dialed in with a three with 2:38 to play in the half. UVU led by 24, their largest margin of the game with the score 46-22. UTPA trailed UVU 50-28 at halftime.
The second half was an offensive clinic by UTPA, but they didn't have an answer for Williams defensively. Williams hit a three
With 17:15 remaining in the game to increase the UVU lead back to 24 at 56-32. What proceeded was a strong UTPA rally.
First, Provost drained a three-pointer with 11:11 on the clock, capping off a 15-6 run to pull the Broncs back within 15 at 62-47.Then Aaron Urbanus, who didn't score during the first half began to heat up from beyond the arc. With 7:31 remaining Urbanus hit a three to cut the Wolverine lead to 10 at 65-55.
With 4:31 to play, Williams drained another three for the Wolverines to put them back-up by 14 at 73-59. UTPA then scored five straight points, including a Jared Maree three, which put the deficit into single digits for the first time since early in the first-half at 73-64. It was an eight point game with 1:10 tp play after Urbanus hit a jumper inside the arc to make it 79-71. It would be a free throw endurance test for the Wolverines and while the Broncs fell only by four due to a last second three by Urbanus, the Broncs ran out of time to complete their comeback. UTPA outscored the Wolverines 56-38 in the second half, shooting 66% from the field.
Urbanus scored all of his team-high 23 points in the second half, he also added five assists. Provost added 21 points with three rebounds and two assists. Urbanus and Provost each made five three-pointers in the contest. Thursday was the third straight 20+ point contest for Urbanus. Ruben Cabrera chipped in 1ith 15 points. The Broncs shot 57% from beyond-the-arc for the game, making a season high 13 three-pointers for the contest.
Williams was the catalyst for the huge Utah Valley first-half explosion. Williams finished with a game-high 33 points, hitting seven of his 10 three-point attempts. Holton Hunsacker added 14 points and a game-high six assists. Ben Aird scored 10 points with six boards. The Wolverines out-rebounded UTPA 33-21.
The Broncs continue Great West Conference play on Saturday night when they host Chicago State at 7:30 PM at the UTPA Fieldhouse. Tickets are available by calling 956-665-2221 or by logging on to UTPABroncs.com.
