Box Score

CHICAGO, Illinois – The University of Texas-Pan American Broncs men's basketball team clinched a top-three finish and a berth in the Great West Conference Tournament semifinals for the second year in a row by beating the Chicago State University Cougars 55-51 on Saturday at Jones Convocation Center.
 
The win, coupled with Utah Valley's (2-5 GWC) 73-63 loss to Houston Baptist (3-3 GWC), means that, with tiebreakers, neither Utah Valley nor Chicago State (8-19, 2-4 GWC) can catch the Broncs (14-15, 4-3 GWC).
 
Brandon Provost supplied 42 percent of the Broncs' offense with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc plus 3-of-3 from the foul line with three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
 
Two Cougars reached double-figures in scoring, led by Quinton Pippen, who scored 14 points, and Clarke Rosenberg, who scored 11 points.
 
The Cougars jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but Provost hit a jumper and a three-pointer as the Broncs responded with an 8-2 run to take their first lead at 10-9 with 13:53 remaining in the first half.
 
The game stayed tight from there, with the Cougars taking their largest lead at 42-37 with 9:32 to go on a Rosenberg jumper. Provost and Shaquille Hines each hit two baskets as the Broncs pulled ahead at 45-42 with 6:59 left.
 
The Broncs took their largest with 2:20 remaining when Aaron Urbanus hit a free throw to make it 55-49.
 
The Broncs are back in action on Sunday, March 3 at 2:00 p.m. when they host New Orleans at the UTPA Fieldhouse. One lucky fan will have the opportunity to win $1,000 dollars, courtesy of Rio Bank. Another lucky fan will win a free oil change, courtesy of RGV All Tune & Lube. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive free popcorn. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.