UTEP breaks down in 2nd half, falls 38-28 at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - For a moment, it looked as if UTEP could open up a double-digit lead heading into halftime. But a costly penalty wiped that away, and from then on, Charlotte controlled the ballgame en route to a 38-28 victory.

UTEP (3-3, 0-2 C-USA) had three turnovers, including two that led to 49er touchdowns.

After Justin Prince picked off Charlotte QB Chris Reynolds with two minutes to before the break, the Miners seemingly had all the momentum. But UTEP was whistled for offsides on the play, negating the turnover, and Charlotte score a touchdown 5 plays later to tie it at 14 heading into the half.

UTEP entered Saturday's contest Charlotte as 15-point underdogs, but the Miners quickly bucked that notion in the first half.

The Miners fell into a quick 7-0 hole after Gavin Hardison was intercepted on UTEP's opening drive, setting up great field position for the 49ers. Charlotte's Aaron McCallister punched it in a few plays later.

UTEP responded later in the 1st on a 2-yard touchdown run by Deion Hankins. Hankins finished the game with 18 carries for 119 yard and a touchdown.

After both teams traded punts, UTEP came up with a 13-play 98-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Ronald Awatt.

But in the second half UTEP was outscored 24-14, and trailed 31-14 before scoring a pair of touchdowns late.

UTEP is now 0-25-1 all-time in the eastern time zone.

The Miners now return for a Halloween matchup (10/31, 2pm MT) with North Texas at the Sun Bowl. It will be the conference home opener for UTEP.