UTEP holds basketball scrimmage at Don Haskins Center

The UTEP Miners got an early start to their season Saturday afternoon at the Don Haskins Center.

The team held a scrimmage in preparation for their trip to Costa Rica on August 15th.

The Miners will be playing 3 exhibition games against Universities from Canada.

Saturday’s scrimmage was between the returning players against the incoming freshman and transfers.

The UTEP veterans won the game by a final of 80-70.

Paul Thomas put up the most points for the veterans with 21 points.

Freshman Trey Wade led the way for the newcomers with 21 points as well.

Head coach Tim Floyd said he liked what he saw from his squad, “We’re a better rebounding team than we were a year ago and we’re more athletic and we’ve got more scoring options on the wing,” Floyd said, “All these guys give us the indication that we should have a better basketball team.”

Freshman point guard Evan Gilyard enjoyed his first experience playing inside the Don Haskins Center, “The impression was was how big the court was,” Gilyard said, “We played hard together, we competed, we played defense, we just didn’t come out with the win.”

Senior point guard Omega Harris said he was impressed by how the newcomers performed, “They’ve picked up what we’re learning so far, they put it out there on the court,” Harris said, “They came up a little short, but I’m pretty proud of what they did.”

Fans who attended Saturday’s scrimmage were also able to vote for the starting lineup for the Costa Rica games.