Jan. 26, 2012

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - NJIT is at the top of the Great West Conference standings at 2-0 after home wins against Houston Baptist and Texas-Pan American during the opening week of GWC play.

The Highlanders, who were picked by the coaches to finish third in the GWC this season, defeated HBU, 85-62, before edging UTPA, 58-57, on a Chris Flores' layup with four seconds remaining.

It will be a busy week for NJIT as it travels to North Dakota for its first conference road test on Thursday before heading west to Utah to face off against the defending GWC champion and preseason favorite Wolverines. Utah Valley opened GWC play last Saturday with a 72-64 win over North Dakota, last season's GWC Tournament champion.

Also traveling to Utah Valley and North Dakota this week will be the Cougars of Chicago State, which pulled off a 98-95 overtime win against Houston Baptist after falling to Texas-Pan American, 72-65.

The two teams from the Lone Star State will battle on Saturday as Houston Baptist travels to Texas-Pan American. The Huskies, who will be playing their third straight GWC road game, will look to rebound from their 0-2 conference start while the Broncs hope the opening week trend of home court victories in the GWC holds. Home teams were 4-1 during the opening week with the Broncs picking up the only road win. HBU was the only GWC team to play outside of conference this week as the Huskies lost a 79-74 decision to Southland Conference leader Texas-Arlington Tuesday night.

GWC Basketball Release