For Immediate Release: February 2, 2002

Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

CENTENARY’S FINAL SHOT FOILS BRONCS

SHREVEPORT, LA-In a game of big plays, Centenary’s Andrew Wisniewski made the biggest play last.

His three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining gave Centenary a 61-58 victory over The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team at the Gold Dome Saturday.

The Broncs, who trailed early, used a 23-11 run to take a 28-22 lead with 6:30 remaining in the first half. Senior center Marcus Quinn (Midwest City, OK/Choctaw HS/Eastern Oklahoma State) contributed a pair of jump shots, senior guard Mire Chatman connected on a three-pointer, and junior forward Andrius Sakalys (Vilnius,Lithuania/M.Dauksos HS/Eastern Oklahoma State) added four free throws.

The Broncs held a 35-29 lead at halftime, but it disappeared very quickly when the Gentlemen used an 18-8 run right after intermission to take a 47-43 lead with 9:52 to play. UTPA came right back, with Quinn contributing a jumper and  a pair of free throws and Chatman sinking a jumper and adding a free throw as the Broncs pulled even at 57 with 3:18 remaining.

Melvin Dews made one of two free throws with 2:03 left to give Centenary a one-point lead. Chatman countered with a free throw to tie it at 58 with 1:45 left. The teams exchanged misses until Michael Gale’s rebound allowed the Gents to possess the ball with 15 seconds remaining.

Centenary called time out, then got the ball to Wisniewski, whose shot was good with 1.9 seconds to play. UTPA was not able to get off a shot as time expired.

“We knew he (Wisniewski) was going to take the shot, and we thought about fouling him so we would have the last possession, or trying to deny him the ball, but he was the guy and he made it,” said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. “We had some opportunities and we missed some free throws and some layups. We got down, but we battled back . They’re a good team, and they’ve beaten a lot of good teams here. We played much better today than we did the last two games. We’ve just got to go to Tennessee and get it together on Monday night.”

Chatman had 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the Broncs. Quinn added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Sakalys contributed 10 points and nine boards.

Wisniewski had 22 points for the Gents, while DeMario Hooper added 11.

The Broncs dropped to 17-7 with the defeat, their third in succession, while Centenary improved to 11-9. UTPA will conclude their two-game road trip when they travel to Middle Tennessee State Monday evening.

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