Miners advance to C-USA Semifinals with win over Rice

Senior Dominic Artis led the Miners with 26 points and 10 boards, good enough for a win against Rice in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament.

Artis scored 20 of his 26 in the first half opening up a 20 point lead at the break, while Omega Harris poured in an additional 21 points and 6 rebounds.

The Owls closed the gap to as close as nine points with four minutes left to play due to Matt Willms and Paul Thomas fouling out earlier in the game.

But UTEP shot nearly 70% from the line to keep their lead from the first basket to the last.

Coach Floyd and the Miners advance to the semis and will have a rematch with #1 seed Middle Tennessee Friday at 10:30 a.m. MT. UTEP beat the Blue Raiders earlier in the season 57-54, but anything can happen come March.

Middle Tennessee defeated UTSA earlier in the day by a final of 86 to 70 to set up a rematch with UTEP.

The winner will advance to the C-USA championship game on Saturday, with an automatic spot in the BiG Dance on the line.