Islanders Defeat Broncs, 77-55

CORPUS CHRISTI — The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team lost for the third time in as many games this season, falling to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 77-55 on Thursday at the American Bank Center.

 “It was a bit frustrating tonight because we couldn’t get into a shooting rhythm,” UTPA coach Ryan Marks said. “There are some games where your defense can keep you in, but at some point you have to make baskets.”

Luis Valera led Broncs with 10 points. Ben Smith added nine points. The Islanders finished with three double-figures in scoring with Kevin Palmer recording a game-high 17 points He also had six rebounds, five assists, five steals, and one block.

After a 10-0 run by the Islanders, ChaRunn Jones put the Broncs on the board with a jumper at the 13:25 mark. Senior Nate Hawkins then followed with a layup on the next possession.

With 7:37 left, Luis Valera brought the Broncs within 14-12 on an under the basket pass. After the Islanders extended their lead, a three-point shot by Nick Weiermiller at the 6:06 mark put the Islanders in the lead, 18-15.

The Islanders extended their lead once again, in the first, but a basket by Hawkins cut the deficit to nine with 1:52 on the clock to make the score 30-21, Islanders. At the half, the Broncs trailed by 13 with a score of 36-23. The Broncs struggled in the second as they faced their largest deficit with 33 seconds left on the clock by 24 points. 

 “Luis did a great job tonight,” Marks said.  “He didn’t have a great first half, but he gained his composure and did most of his damage in the second.”

The Broncs next play at Missouri on Nov. 22.