UTEP punches ticket to C-USA tournament after defeating Middle Tennessee, 60-56

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It wasn't an easy road getting there, but for the UTEP Miners it doesn't really matter.

Wednesday night in Murfreesboro, the Miners defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders by a final score of 60-56.

With the victory, UTEP secured a spot in this year's Conference USA Tournament.

Last season, UTEP failed to make the Conference USA Tournament, and they were in danger of missing out on the tournament once again.

UTEP only had two games left to play in the regular season, and they needed just one win to secure a tournament spot.

UTEP's Bryson Williams made a pair of free throws with 27 seconds left, to give the Miners the go-ahead two-point lead.

Souley Boum iced the contest with two of his own with nine seconds left in regulation as the Miners defeated Middle Tennessee.

Daryl Edwards led the way in scoring for the Miners with 25 points.

UTEP has won three consecutive league games for the first time since the 2016-17 season when it won five-consecutive.

The Miners’ 16 wins this season are the most since the 2015-16 season, in which UTEP finished 19-14. 

UTEP will next travel to Houston to take on Rice on Saturday, March 7. 

That game will wrap up the regular season for the Miners before the start of the Conference USA Tournament on March 11.