EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Short-handed but resilient, UTEP men’s basketball delivered on Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center. In a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network, UTEP, playing without four key contributors, rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit and outlasted Middle Tennessee 83-80 in overtime to earn their first Conference USA win […]
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Short-handed but resilient, UTEP men’s basketball delivered on Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center.
In a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network, UTEP, playing without four key contributors, rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit and outlasted Middle Tennessee 83-80 in overtime to earn their first Conference USA win of the season.
UTEP entered the matchup without Caleb Blackwell, Trey Horton III, Tyrese Watson, and David Tubek, all sidelined with injuries. With a limited roster, head coach Joe Golding leaned on all ten available players.
“It’s been a good group to be around. Tough times pass, tough people last. Incredibly proud of the 10 guys today.” Golding said postgame.
Kaseem Watson led all scorers with 23 points, while Elijah Jones added 20. Jamal West Jr. finished with 16 points, KJ Thomas chipped in 11, and L.A. Hayes scored 10 — eight of those coming at the free-throw line.
Middle Tennessee controlled much of the night, leading for 35 minutes and 50 seconds of game time. But UTEP’s brief 4:58 advantage came at the most important moments, including the decisive stretch in overtime.
UTEP shot 43 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc, knocking down eight three-pointers. The Miners also capitalized at the free-throw line, going 25-of-36.
Middle Tennessee shot 47 percent overall and 36 percent from three, connecting on nine triples, and went 15-of-17 from the line.
Ahead of Thursday night’s nationally televised matchup, UTEP Athletics was selling tickets for just $9.15. The Miners drew a season-high crowd of 4,368 fans to the Don Haskins Center.
Head coach Joe Golding praised the fans after the win:
“We don’t win the game without the crowd. That’s what makes this job so special, the fans care. I thought our crowd was great tonight.”
The win snapped a three-game losing streak and improved UTEP to 5-10 overall and 1-3 in Conference USA play.
Up next, UTEP returns to the Don Haskins Center on Saturday to host Western Kentucky. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Category: General Sports
