Jan. 26, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, NJ - Senior point guard Paul Stoll was the catalyst, making a game-high nine steals and adding nine points and a game-high six assists for visiting Texas-Pan American, as the Broncs defeated New Jersey Institute of Technology, 54-42, in men's college basketball Saturday afternoon in the Prudential Center.

Texas-Pan American, which won its sixth straight game in a streak that began with a 76-61 win over NJIT on December 31 in the consolation game of the University of Central Florida Holiday Classic in Orlando, got a game-high 15 points from sophomore forward Nathan Hawkins. Senior Zach Trader added 12 points for the Broncs.

NJIT got double-figure scoring from two freshmen--starting guard Jheryl Wilson, who finished with 11 points and reserve wing player Justin Garris, who added 10 points.

Stoll accounted for nine of Texas-Pan American's 15 steals, while senior guard Brian Burrell also made four steals and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. NJIT's top rebounders were Garris and Nesho Milosevic, with five each.

Texas-Pan American, which never trailed, took control with an 8-3 run over the last 2:14 of the first half, stretching a 20-15 advantage into a 28-18 halftime lead. Hawkins, the burly 6-6, 250-pound post player led all scorers with nine points through the first 20 minutes. Garris scored five to lead NJIT.

All doubt about the outcome was removed when Texas-Pan American held the Highlanders scoreless for the first 7:48 of the second half. By then, the Broncs had added 12 second-half points--five by Hawkins and four by Trader to build a 40-18 lead with 12:25 left in the game. UTPA's Burrell made three of his steals to contribute to his team's nearly eight-minute shutout of NJIT to open the second half.

The game in the downtown Newark Prudential Center was the fourth and final one of the 2007-08 season in the new home of the National Hockey League New Jersey Devils.

The game was preceded by the NJIT men's basketball alumni game and followed by a women's basketball game between NJIT and Chicago State.

The Highlanders will play their remaining four home games on campus in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center starting on Tuesday, when NJIT hosts Loyola of Maryland in a 7 pm start.

The men's basketball alumni game brought back former Highlanders and their families and included 24 men who took part in the game. Among the participants were (alphabetically): Brent Andrews ('00); Clayton Barker ('07); Tim Bilati ('82); John Bober ('69); Joe Caiola ('80); Keicey Castle ('95); Demond Cowins ('04); Randle DeFalco ('05); Steve DeSteno ('69); Tom Gallagher ('84); Yung Kiely ('03); Michael Lee ('04); Mars Mellish ('01); Tom Meixner ('90); Lou Mezzina ('92); Russ Murdock ('92); Al Olsen ('66); Leon Puentes ('92); Ahmad Rasool ('04); Jeff Roberto ('94); Peter Scheffler ('83); Owain States ('00); Henry White ('06); and, Bob Zanzalari ('82).