BOX SCORE

EDINBURG, Texas –The University of Texas-Pan American men's basketball team got a combined 21 points from their seniors Julius Hearn and Matt Mierzycki in their final collegiate home game, but it was not enough to lift the Broncs. UTPA dropped their 2010-11 regular season finale 72-61 to Great West Conference rival North Dakota, Saturday night at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The Broncs (6-24, 2-10 GWC) traded the lead with the Fighting Sioux (16-14, 8-4 GWC) on five occasions during the first half. With 17:05 remaining in the first half the Broncs took an 8-4 lead when Brandon Provost knocked in a trey from the top of the key. The Sioux responded with a 7-0 run, capped off by a three by Aaron Anderson and led 11-8 with 14:55 to play in the opening half.

Later in the period, Hearn stole the ball from Josh Schuller and took it to the hoop for a slam dunk putting UTPA back in front by four at 20-16 with 8:46 to play until halftime. At the 5:28 mark Hearn pushed the lead to five on a pair of free throws as the Broncs lead 28-23. The Sioux responded with a 12-2 run to close out the half and led at the intermission 35-30.

UND scored the first seven points of the second half, with Derek Benter's lay-up at 17:14 pushing the Sioux lead to 12. Mierzycki would close the deficit to within four on his three-pointer at the 5:18 mark. The Sioux then scored 10 straight points with Jamal Webb's lay-up pushing the lead to 14 at 68-54. UND outscored the Broncs 37-31 in the final 20 minutes to clinch the win.

Kieondre Arkwright tied his career high with 13 points to lead the Broncs on Saturday night. Hearn added 11points and added six boards and three assists. Mierzycki scored 10, hauled in six boards and dished out a team high four assists before fouling out. Aaron Urbanus added nine for UTPA.

Troy Huff led the Sioux with 13 points on Saturday. Patrick Mitchell chipped in 12 points and 10 boards with four assists. Webb added nine points and 11 boards with a team-high seven assists. North Dakota dominated in the paint, outscoring the Broncs 42-8 in the lane.

The Broncs and Sioux will face off once again in their next game as they face off in the opening round of the Great West Conference Tournament presented by Pepsi. The third seeded Sioux and sixth seeded Broncs will battle at the UCCU Center in Orem Utah on Thursday March 10th with 6PM CT tip-off.