UTEP Loses To #25 Memphis After Missed Last-Second Shot.

Chris Crawford scored 15 points and Adonis Thomas added 11 and No. 25 Memphis remained undefeated in Conference USA with a 56-54 victory over UTEP on Tuesday night.

UTEP’s C.J. Cooper had an opportunity to tie the game after being fouled from beyond the 3-point line but he missed the first free throw. He made the second and purposely missed the third in an attempt to rebound the ball and get the win. Tarik Black was fouled getting the rebound for the Tigers (26-4, 15-0 CUSA).

Julian Washburn led UTEP (16-13, 9-6) with 19 points and Cedrick Lang added 10.

Memphis out-rebounded UTEP 38-25, but the Tigers had 16 turnovers to UTEP’s 12.

Memphis led by as many as seven points with 12:31 left before UTEP tied the game on a fast-break layup from Jacques Streeter with 9:26 left.

For most of the first half, UTEP controlled the pace of the game, utilizing most of the shot clock and limiting Memphis to one shot per possession. Both teams accumulated 16 turnovers.

Despite UTEP controlling the clock, Memphis led for most of the half, shooting 33.3 percent from the field and going 2 of 5 from the free throw line. UTEP’s Chris Washburn made his first field goal of the game with 44 seconds left in the half and tied the game at 22. Memphis didn’t score for over 3 minutes at the end of the half.

The second half was a faster paced game as Crawford scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half. Memphis was 13 of 25 from the field and out-rebounded UTEP 19-10. Geron Johnson finished the game with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Julian Washburn scored 16 points in the second half for UTEP and John Bohannon finished with seven assists and three blocks.

Memphis out-rebounded UTEP 38-25 for the game, but the Tigers had 16 turnovers to UTEP’s 12. The Tigers were 22 of 52 from the field and 7 of 13 from the free throw line. UTEP was 19 for 45 from the field and 13 of 19 from the free throw line.

The game saw 14 lead changes and 11 ties. The Tigers had 28 points in the paint to the Miners’ 26.

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