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For Immediate Release: December 20, 2001 CAROLINA, PR–Although
it’s been almost two years since the start of a new millennium, the
University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team can truly be
called the team of the 90s. Every time the Broncs score in the
90s, they are successful. That was the case in the first round
of the San Juan Shootout at Coliseum Guillermo Angulo, where the Broncs
used two surges to defeat Niagara, 91-85, in a first round game Thursday
afternoon. With the win, UTPA improved to 4-0 when scoring 90 or more
points this season. The first surge came in the first
half. With the teams tied at 30, senior guard Mire Chatman (Garland,
TX/South Garland HS/Southwestern Christian JC) connected on a free throw
to untie the score. Senior forward Marcus Quinn (Midwest City,
OK/Choctaw HS/Eastern Oklahoma State) added a dunk, Chatman connected on
a layup, and senior forward Joey Tate (San Antonio, TX/Taft HS/Temple JC)
added a pair of free throws to give UTPA a lead that it would not
relinquish. “That was a huge run, “ said
UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. “We had a lot of people make good
plays.” The Broncs used another second-half
run to take control. After the Purple Eagles cut UTPA’s advantage to
six at 50-44, Chatman canned a pair of
baskets, including a three-pointer, and and Tate followed with a
steal and layup to make it 57-44. “In the first half, we shot the
ball extremely well, but in the second half, they went to a box and one
on Mire, and that gave us some trouble,” said Hoffman. “We were
finally able to get some layups.” Chatman led all scorers with 33
points. He tied a career high that he set in the season opener against
Sul Ross State. Chatman also led the Broncs with six rebounds. Quinn
added 22 points, and junior guard Kevin Mitchell (Copperas Cove,
TX/Copperas Cove HS/McLennan CC) contributed 11. “I thought we were prepared, and
competed hard the whole game,” said Hoffman. “The first half was our
best half of the season in terms of execution. The team we just beat was
picked to win their league, they’re a good team and a good program. We
did a lot of good things to get the win. (Junior forward) Terrell Hill
(Carnegie, OK/Carnegie HS/Seward County CC) made some good plays, and
(junior guard) James Davis (Oklahoma City, OK/Casady HS/Westark College)
made some good passes. Daryl Greene and Michael Schmidt had
15 points each to lead NU. With the victory, the Broncs improved to 8-3, while
Niagara dropped to 3-6 with the defeat. The Broncs advanced to play Oral
Roberts in a semi-final game Friday at noon, Central Time. “Oral Roberts played unbelievable defense
today,” said Hoffman. “They beat UTA by 53 points Monday night, so
they’re on a roll. It should be a tough game.” MBBNU1122001 |