BRONCS HOST MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY, MASCOTS MONDAY NIGHT
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

EDINBURG, TX-After playing 10 of their last 12 games on the road, The University of Texas-Pan American's men's basketball team returns home for only the third time since December 1st when they host Missouri-Kansas City Monday evening. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The game could be a long-range shootout. The Broncs are 23rd nationally in three-point field goals per game, averaging 8.3 treys per contest. UMKC is 10th, averaging 9.1 three-pointers per game,

The Broncs are 5-11, and they hope to get a boost from a big crowd. "We're excited about getting to play at home in front of our crowd," said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "We need to take advantage of our opportunities. We'd love to play in front of a big crowd Monday night."

Although Texas-Pan American won just one of three games on their most recent road swing, Hoffman has seen some encouraging signs. "We've been really working hard," said Hoffman. "We've been playing well in spurts; we just have to do it for a whole game. I think that when we become more consistent, it will eventually lead to us making a run."

The Kangaroos are 8-7, but they defeated the Broncs, 102-80 at the Municipal Auditorium December 4th, and they have won four games in a row and five of their last six, including a 93-52 demolition of Kansas State at home December 30th. Senior guard Michael Watson ranks 21st nationally in scoring, averaging 21.1 points per game.

"They have a great player in Michael Watson," said Hoffman. "He does a great job, and we will have to try to figure out a way to stop them. We also have to do a better job of execution than we did when we played at their place."

Monday night also marks the return of UTPA's Mascot Musical Chairs promotion. The promotion takes place at halftime, and nine mascots have already confirmed their participation. The defending champion IBC Free Bee, Rocky from Peter Piper, H-E-B Buddy from H-E-B,
Rowdy the Roadrunner from the Edinburg Roadrunners, Sir Sting-A-Lot from the RGV Killer Bees, McGruff the Crime Dog from the Edinburg Police Department, Caesar from Little Caesar's and Broadway Bob from Broadway Hardware will join the Broncs' own mascot, Bucky, for the contest.

After Monday night's game, Texas-Pan American will hit the road again to play Texas-Arlington next Wednesday evening.

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