The UTEP Miners need to win out in order to make the conference tournament

The UTEP Miners needed a win to stay alive in the hunt for the last spots in the conference tournament.

In the first half the Miners cruised.

With little in their way they went up 37 to 20 at the end of the half.

Jordan Lathon was shooting lights out!

Going for 32 points and 18 rebounds to keep his team in the game.

They would need it being down Effie Odigie who injured himself in practice Friday night.

In the second half the Owls went on two 7 and 0 point runs to catch back up.

By the close of regulation time the Owls scored 43 to the Miners 26.

After scoring 10 of the Miners first overtime points Jordan Lathon would foul out leaving the game.

In the second overtime it was all Owls.

UTEP had nothing left losing its best scorer relinquishing the win to Rice, 85 to 81.

The Miners take on the 49ers, in Charlotte next week.