For Immediate Release: Friday, February 21, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director (956) 381-2240

BRONCS HOST CENTENARY ON SENIOR NIGHT

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American men's basketball team will try to send four graduating seniors out in style when they host Centenary in the final home game of the 2002-2003 season Monday evening. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The Broncs will take a 10-18 record into the game, which is a rematch of Centenary's 94-84 victory at the Gold Dome in Shreveport, LA January 11th. Four seniors-guards Kevin Mitchell (Copperas Cove, TX/Copperas Cove HS/McLennan CC), James Davis (Oklahoma City, OK/Casady HS/Westark CC), and Gabe Cortez (Mercedes, TX/Mercedes HS) and forward Tomas Sitnikovas (Panevezys, Lithuania/Panevezys HS#5/Mid-Plains CC) will play their final home games Monday night.

Mitchell, who was just named to the Verizon Academic All-District VI team, leads the Broncs in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. Davis is the leader in assists, averaging 3.7 per game. Sitnikovas is Texas-Pan American's second leading rebounder, averaging 4.6 rebounds per game, while Cortez, who has contributed as a reserve, is the first player to play four years at UTPA under Hoffman.

"It's a big night for our seniors, who will be graduating on time, which is huge for them as well as for our program," said UTPA Head Coach Bob Hoffman. "They are four quality young men who have had a lot of success, and we'd like to send them off with a win in their final game at home."

The Broncs have lost their last three games against Centenary since sweeping the Gents two seasons ago. Centenary brings a 13-13 record into Saturday night's game at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and is led by point guard Andrew Wisniewski averages 22 points per game and ranks 24th in the nation in scoring. "Centenary is a very good team," said Hoffman. "They played well at their place, and beating them at our place will be no easy task. Wisniewski is a very talented player, and it will be hard to stop him. He's just a good basketball player who does everything well."

Hoffman said they key to success would be limiting the Gents' chances. "In order to win, we have to do a good job of contesting their shots," said Hoffman. "We also have to limit their second shots."

UTPA will conclude the season when they visit Morris Brown March 1.

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