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ALBUQUERQUE — UTEP’s visit to New Mexico was a men’s charity basketball game for a great cause, with proceeds going to the UNM Children’s Hospital.
But exhibition or not, the longtime rivals, who had played 147 times prior (the Lobos had 78 wins, UTEP 69), were playing to win and nothing was going to be easy for the winner.
In a physical, hard-played game, the Lobos managed to hold off a late charge by UTEP to win, 74-70, in front of 10,359 fans at the famous Pit.
The Miners, who lost in last year’s Conference USA Tournament title game and who returned nine letterwinners joined by a strong recruiting class, wanted a strong showing against a good UNM team. The Lobos were an NCAA Tournament team last season and were picked to finish second in the Mountain West in the league’s preseason poll.
The positives for UTEP
The aggressive Miners defense forced 25 turnovers.
Senior Otis Frazier III scored all 21 of his points in the second half and made 8 of 14 shots and 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
The Miners were down 11-0 to start the game and 66-52 with five minutes left but both times rallied to get back into the game. The Miners pulled within 72-70 on a Devon Barnes layup, but the Lobos held on for the win.
UTEP’s Elijah Jones goes up for a basket vs. New Mexico on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024 at The Pit in Albuquerque. The Lobos beat the Miners, 74-70.
Eleven players scored for UTEP. Post player Derick Hamilton scored 10 points on five of seven shooting and both Barnes and David Terrell, Jr. had four assists each.
Freshman guard KJ Thomas played well in 15 minutes off the bench with four points, an assist and zero turnovers.
The Miners defended the 3-point line well as the Lobos were just 5 of 23.
What the Miners need to get better at
UTEP was just 7 of 24 from 3-point range and as the season goes on, that percentage will need to get better.
The Miners were outrebounded 56-30 and gave up 19 offensive rebounds.
The Miners committed 27 fouls and were outscored 27-11 at the free throw line.
New Mexico…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/utep-plays-mexico-down-wire-152835295.html
Author : The El Paso Times
Publish date : 2024-10-29 15:28:00
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