Middle Tennessee Foils UTEP Upset Bid, 78-72
Darnell Harris scored 21 points, including a crucial layup with 1:24 remaining, as Middle Tennessee made plays down the stretch and slipped past UTEP, 78-72, on Thursday night in Murfreesboro.
Harris’ bucket put the Blue Raiders (9-5, 1-1 C-USA) up 74-70 after Earvin Morris missed a three-pointer that could’ve given the Miners (10-6, 2-1 C-USA) the lead. UTEP again pulled within two (74-72) on two free throws by Lee Moore with 26 seconds remaining, but Giddy Potts found Reggie Upshaw for a layup to break the Miner press. After Omega Harris missed a three-pointer, the Blue Raiders’ Perrin Buford closed it out with free throws.
In the end, it was something for a young team to build upon against a formidable opponent playing on its home floor.
“We had our opportunities,” Floyd said. “Down two [72-70] we missed a wide-open three that would’ve put us up one. Give them credit, they did a really nice job in everything that they did against us. We just didn’t make enough plays down at the end.”
The Miners will play at defending league champion UAB on Saturday at noon MT. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.?
