TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN VISITS BAYLOR AND NORTH TEXAS
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

EDINBURG, TX-With their season nearly half complete, The University of Texas-Pan American's men's basketball team will hit the road this week to play two in-state opponents. The Broncs will visit Baylor of the Big 12 Tuesday evening, and North Texas of the Sun Belt Thursday evening. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.

The Broncs are coming off a 90-58 victory against McMurry at the UTPA Fieldhouse last Wednesday night, and they will take a 4-9 record into Tuesday's game against the Bears.

"This is a good opportunity for us to have a chance to continue to build on the improvement we've made, even in games we haven't won," said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "We have a chance to play a Big 12 and a Sun Belt team on the road, with both of them being Texas schools."

Baylor is 5-7, and is playing its final non-conference game before beginning Big 12 play. The Bears are coming off a 76-65 loss against 21st-ranked Purdue, and are in their first year under Head Coach Scott Drew.

"Coach Drew has done a great job," said Hoffman. "Their guys are working very hard. They've had success and played well against good people, and they're doing a great job, building character out of adversity."

North Texas is 4-7, and has not won since defeating the Broncs, 87-81 in overtime at the UTPA Fieldhouse December 17th. The Mean Green have lost their last four games, the last one a 96-61 decision at Arkansas last Saturday.

"North Texas is a game that we have a chance to win, if we take care of business," said Hoffman. "We have to hit our shots in all of our games, and we have to take care of things defensively. North Texas is very athletic, and, hopefully, we'll be able to limit their opportunities."

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