Broncs lose after suspending five
NEWARK, N.J. — Chris Flores hit a layup with four seconds remaining to lift New Jersey Institute of Technology over shorthanded Texas-Pan American 58-57 Saturday.
The Broncs were playing without five players were suspended by coach Ryan Marks for violating unspecified team rules. The players were senior guards Kienondre Arkwright and Nick Weiermiller, junior forwards Ruben Cabrera and Earl Jefferson, and junior guard Neo Sanchez.
Though the suspensions actually occurred Friday, they were announced less than one hour prior to the start of Saturday’s game, per the instructions of UTPA Director of Athletics Chris King.
Flores, who led the Highlanders (9-9, 2-0 Great West Conference) with 17 points, scored after NJIT took a timeout with 19 seconds left. Texas-Pan American (6-16, 1-1) had taken a 57-56 lead when Aaron Urbanus (17 points) made 1 of 2 free throws with 1:22 left and Jared Maree hit a 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining.
After Flores’ basket, Jesus Delgado missed a 3-point prayer for the Broncs at the buzzer.
NJIT led 31-22 at halftime before Texas-Pan American began to whittle away that lead late in the game. The Highlanders had a 17-5 advantage in points off turnovers while the Broncs’ bench outscored NJIT’s 13-2.
Isaiah Wilkerson scored 13 points for NJIT and Ryan Woods 12.
Maree scored 15 points and Josh Cleveland 13 for Texas-Pan American.
The Monitor contributed to this report.
