EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – UTEP men’s basketball team snapped a two-game losing skid on its home court Saturday night, defeating Kennesaw State 73-71.
With this win the Miners move to a three-way tie for first place in its conference alongside Middle Tennessee and Jax State. Each sit with a 5-2 record in Conference USA.
This was a huge win for UTEP on multiple fronts in terms of standings, getting back in the win column as well as securing a win without its second leading scorer. Corey Camper Jr. sat out of Saturday night’s action after the guard suffered a high ankle sprain Thursday night against Jax State. His return date is unknown at this point in time.
UTEP had four players finish in double-digit points on the night including Otis Frazier III (17), Kevin Kalu (14), Elijah Jones (12) and Devon Barnes (10). David Tarrell Jr. and Ahamad Bynum were not far behind tallying eight points a piece.
As a team, UTEP shot 42% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc. Miners collected 36 points in the paint and 24 off turnovers.
The Miners’ defense looked more like themselves forcing 21 turnovers while grabbing 9 steals. UTEP was able to hold one of the Owls’ top scorers, Adrian Wooley, to one of his lowest scoring performances this season at seven points.
An area they continue to get beat at is on the glass, as the Miners were out rebounded 43-30.
Up next for the team, they’ll take to the road with action kicking off on Thursday against Western Kentucky, followed up by Middle Tennessee on Saturday.
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