UTEP wins third straight game as they top UTSA 59-39
UTEP blew the game open with a 13-0 run midway through the first half, and frustrated UTSA defensively throughout in a 59-39 dismantling of the Roadrunners on Saturday in the Haskins Center.
The Miners (5-13, 3-3 C-USA) posted their third straight victory in getting to .500 in Conference USA play for the first time this season. UTSA (9-10, 4-2 C-USA) shot less than 25 percent in both halves, and the 39 points were the second-fewest allowed by UTEP to a Conference USA opponent. UAB scored 37 points on Feb. 8, 2006 during the Miners’ first year in the league.
The .241 field goal percentage by UTSA was the lowest by a UTEP opponent since UAB shot 23.7 percent on Feb. 8, 2006.
Omega Harris scored 16 points, Paul Thomas recorded the second double-double of his UTEP career with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, and Jake Flaggert scored 11 points.
“We’re getting better as a team and we have some individuals who are playing better, most notably Paul Thomas,” UTEP coach Tim Floyd said. “He is learning that he can score if he rebounds. He has developed a nice little mid-range shot to go with a couple of post-ups that he had.”
UTEP will start a demanding five-game stretch by playing at WKU Thursday (6 p.m. MT) and Marshall Saturday (5 p.m. MT). The WKU game will be televised on beIN Sports.
