Box Score
PORTLAND, Oregon – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's basketball team beat the University of Portland Pilots, who entered the game ranked 115 spots higher in
RealTimeRPI.com's rankings, 56-52 on Saturday at Chiles Center.
The Broncs (7-8) entered the game with a ranking of No. 321 while the Pilots (7-8) were at No. 206.
Brandon Provost led the Broncs with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc. He upped his career-scoring total to 1,024 points, passing
Steve Heard (1957-61, 1,019) for 22
nd all-time in program history.
Aaron Urbanus also climbed the charts, scoring 10 points to pass former teammate
Jared Maree (2008-12, 1,103) for 17
th place, now with 1,104 points.
Ruben Cabrera reached double-figures as well, scoring 11 points.
The game was tight early.
Hurley Johnson hit a layup with 9:18 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 14-14. A
Korey Thieleke jumper 18 seconds later, however, sparked a 7-0 run that saw the Pilots go up 21-14 with 4:52 to go. The Broncs scored five of the final seven points to go into halftime within 23-19.
Justin Leathers hit a layup and Provost buried his first of four second half three-pointers to give the Broncs their first lead at 24-23 in the first minute of the second half.
The Broncs and Pilots then traded baskets; with the Pilots taking a 29-27 lead on a
Bryce Pressley jumper with 15:51 left. The Broncs responded with a 9-0 run, capped off by a Provost three-pointer to take a 36-29 lead with 12:42 remaining. The Pilots scored the next eight points, but another Provost three-pointer made it 39-35.
The Pilots tied the game at 41-41 on a
Ryan Nicholas three-point play with seven minutes left, but Urbanus hit a three-pointer and a free throw to give the Broncs the lead for good.
Nicholas led the Pilots with 15 points and 12 rebounds (seven offensive) for the double-double.
Derrick Rodgers also reached double-figures, scoring 13 points.
The Broncs are back in action on Monday at 4:00 p.m. when they visit Oregon State in a game that can be watched live on Pac 12 Networks.
