UTEP pulls off biggest comeback in Miner history, overcoming 24-point deficit to defeat UTSA
EL PASO, Texas -- UTEP pulled off the biggest comeback victory in the history of its' hoops program on Wednesday night.
After trailing by as much as 24 points in the second half, the Miners (11-7, 2-3 Conference USA) battled back for an 80-77 overtime win over UTSA (8-10, 2-3 C-USA) at the Don Haskins Center.
Brian Williams scored a career high 34 points and had 10 rebounds in what was described by 600 ESPN 'Miner Talk' radio host Adrian Broaddus as "a monstrous come-from-behind win."
Williams sank a late jumper to even the score at 68 with 49 seconds left in regulation and send the game to overtime. Then, he hit a hook shot with 2:22 remaining in the OT to give UTEP the lead en route to their 11th win of the season.
Darryl Edwards was second in scoring for the Miners, picking up 18 points. Nigel Hawkins added eight rebounds, while Eric Vila had seven rebounds and six assists.
UTSA had a 42-28 halftime lead and then owned a 24-point lead with 14:43 left in the game. But the Miners would end up outscoring the Roadrunners 40-26 in the second half – including a 19-0 run at one point. UTEP then rallied past UTSA in overtime, outscoring the Roadrunners 11-9.
The two teams will soon face each other again, with a rematch set for Saturday afternoon in San Antonio.