March 4, 2009

No snow storm was going to stand in the way for the Broncs for their final game of the season as UTPA (10-17) defeated the NJIT Highlanders 63-49 this Tuesday (Mar. 3) afternoon at the Fleisher Athletic Center in Newark, NJ.

"It's always nice to win a road game and send your seniors out on a winning note. I think our guys did a terrific job under adverse circumstances; it was a total team effort," said head men's basketball coach Tom Schuberth. "I'm proud that our young team was able to win four of the last five games. It took us two days to get into New Jersey and our team showed a lot of character."

The first half was crazy for the Broncs as it consisted of five ties and seven lead changes. The Broncs took their first lead early on in the first half within 3:40 of play as Nathan Hawkins scored a bucket to give UTPA a two-point lead.

The Broncs held a good six minute lead but was taken with 6:11 left to play when NJIT's Jheryl Wilson scored two for the Highlanders. The Broncs took the final lead with 1:13 on the clock as they entered halftime leading by one, 26-25.

UTPA took the lead to double figure with 7:06 on the clock on a three-point shot by Ben Smith. The Broncs outscored NJIT 7-2 with points off turnovers, 4-0 off fast break points and 10-6 with points off the bench.

Forward Emmanuel Jones recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jones was 3-for-10 from the field with 7-of-10 from the foul line, along with two assists and three steals.

Luis Valera scored a game-high 14 points for the Broncs on 5-for-9 shooting from the field and a perfect trip to the foul line (4-4) including five boards and one steal.

Sophomore guard Nick Weiermiller chipped in with another 13 points and seven rebounds with three assists and one steal.

The win over the Highlanders concludes the Broncs 2008-09 campaign. The Broncs conclude the season with a 10-17 overall record.

UTPA Sports Information