UTEP’s Valiant Comeback Attempt Falls Short in FIU Loss

hardwood tonight and had a chance to jump above .500 on the season in conference play. but their opponent in fiu wasn’t easy. lets send it out to abc-7 sports director danny mata who is live with a recap. and danny fiu really is no joke no luke, definitely not… tim floyd said earlier in the week fiu is playing some of the best ball in the conference… the panthers have one of the best front lines in the conference… and we know the miners have had issues with teams who have the size advantage… let’s go to the don haskins center… stephanie valle representing kvia… we sponsored this one … fiu goes on an early 15-2 run… aaron diaz … and the foul… miners down 8… later… miners showing signs… earvin morris opens up the can of slam!… but just before the end of the half… elmo stephen… drains the three as the half expires… miners down 13 at the break… second half… more trouble…davion draper with the three … utep down 21… but the miners show some heart… look at this great steal by omega harris… they go on a 24-6 run .. earvin morris… miners within 10… later… harris… it’s a 7 point game… then… hooper vint… 5 point game… more miners defense… harris tips it away… this forces a 5 second violation… lee moore hits 2 free throws… and the miners are within 3… but fiu comes back… eric nottage… drills the three… the miners not able to answer and that does it.. the epic comeback comes up short… utep loses 79-69… “i do respect our effort late the fact that we tried to come back, tried to fight, tried to double, tried to force the issue , tried to force quick shots. all those things we positive in the last fifteen minutes.” “w missed a couple of shots that we could have made. i thought they were good shots that we had. it’s a tough loss but we’re going to regroup and come back strong.” “i’m gonna keep working. i’ gonna keep working as hard as i can. i’m in the gym everyday. i didn’t make a lot of shots. i haven’t been making a lot of shots but i’m going to continue to work and i’m gonna get it right.” dominic artis held scoreless in the loss… but i have a lot of respect for him owning it… the miners showed some toughness tonight … but it doesn’t change the fact they’re now 3-4 in conference play…. they’re on the road against southern miss this thursday… luke…