Northwestern holds off Texas-Pan American 77-71

EDINBURG, Texas (AP) — Drew Crawford scored 22 points and John Shurna added 20 as Northwestern survived a scare from Texas-Pan American 77-71 on Wednesday night.

Playing their second consecutive road game, the Wildcats (2-0) had trouble shaking the Broncs (1-3), playing their first game in their renovated facility.

Northwestern never trailed, and its lead finally reached double digits at 61-51 when Shurna sank a free throw with 8:51 to go.

UTPA nibbled away and trailed only 65-61 with 6:37 left before Crawford sank two free throws and Alex Marcotullio hit a basket and a 3-pointer, putting Northwestern up 72-61 with 4:23 remaining.

But the Broncs ran off 10 of the next 12 points, trimming it to 74-71 on Aaron Urbanus’ two free throws with 1:23 remaining. Northwestern missed two more shots but rebounded both of them and closed it out with a basket and a free throw by Thompson.