UTEP Loses Matinee Game At Home Against UCF, 74-68

Once upon a time, Superman fought with Clark Kent in an epic battle for the soul of Superman in the film “Superman 3.”

Monday morning, UTEP’s Monday matinee game against UCF at the Don Haskins Center had its own version of Superman vs. Clark Kent with them fighting for positioning in Conference USA. There was even a matinee food special -just like at the movies- to go along with the it – $5 for popcorn, a soda and a hot dog.

Superman, aka UTEP shooting guard Randy Culpepper is ever ready, faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap giant centers in a single bound for thunderous dunks. He averages 19.3 points per game and at least three “oooohs” or “awes” a game.

His counterpart for UCF sports goggles, is the son of basketball royalty and looks a bit geeky. Clark Kent, aka Marcus Jordan, averages 15.7 points per game.

Superman may have outscored Clark Kent this time but he wasn’t victorious in the end. UCF defeated UTEP, 74-68. The Miners went from first place to a tie for third with the loss.

Culpepper played all 40 minutes, scoring 25 points but he could not will his team to the win. Culpepper, known for his deadly three-point shooting, was one of four from thee-point land. He scored a bulk of his points driving to the basket, sometimes scoring and getting fouled for the added free-throw attempt.

Julyan Stone added 16 points for UTEP, and Jeremy Williams had 15

Jordan played 32 minutes, scoring 13 points. A couple of times he tried some of his father’s famous moves – particularly the fade-away jumpshot but it didn’t work out either time. The first time he tried it UTEP’s Gabe McCulley blocked the shot easily. The second time, the fade-away shot was simply off the mark as Jordan left his hand in the air, as if he was waiting for the inevitable score.

Keith Clanton scored 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds to lead UCF.

UTEP is now 20-7, 8-4 C-USA record and UCF’s record was UCF 17-9, 4-9 C-USA. The game was originally scheduled to be played on Feb. 2 but was postponed after arctic temperatures gripped El Paso and caused power outages throughout the city. The Miners reclaimed first place in the C-USA standings with a 76-64 victory over Houston on Saturday in the Haskins Center.

Immediately following Monday’s game, the Miners will depart for Greenville, N.C. for a Wednesday night matchup at East Carolina. UTEP will play its fourth game of the week on Saturday when Memphis comes to El Paso for a highly-anticipated nationally televised (ESPN2) game.

The day game was well attended, but not everyone had the day off officially. One woman told ABC-7 she told her place of employment she was going to a doctor’s appointment. It may have felt like a doctor’s appointment as she waited in a line at a concession stand that stretched around the corner and was at least 30 deep.

Another fan, Armando Olivas, a senior analyst at Fort Bliss, said he isn’t happy with the Miners inconsistent play of late – especially with a game against Memphis on Saturday.

The one thing Olivas said the Miners need? “Confidence,” he said.