Texas-Pan American 66, N.J. Tech 53

Published Jan. 15, 2010 4:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Aaron Urbanus and Matt Mierzycki scored 13 points apiece to lead Texas-Pan American to a 66-53 victory over NJIT on Thursday night in the Great West Conference debut for both schools.

Luis Valera added 11 points and a game-high eight rebounds for the Broncs (2-16, 1-0), who broke an 11-game losing streak.

Chris Flores scored 16 points and Isaiah Wilkerson 10 to lead the Highlanders (5-12, 0-1), who have lost four straight.

Both teams scored 19 baskets, including four 3-pointers. However, Texas-Pan American converted 24 of 31 free throws, while the Highlanders hit 11 of 21.

The Highlanders, who fell to 1-10 away from home, led 27-26 at halftime.

But the Broncs nudged ahead 36-35 with 12 minutes to go and gradually stretched it until the game-ending margin was their largest.

This is the inaugural basketball season for the Great West.