UTEP defeats N Dakota St 76-66
UTEP Pulls Off Thrilling 10-Point Win Over N Dakota St in Sun Bowl Invitational
The UTEP Miners hosted their first non-conference opponent of the season, N Dakota St, at the Don Haskins Center on Tuesday night, and it was a game that will be remembered for its dramatic comeback by the home team.
Trailing 36-32 at halftime, UTEP erased the deficit with a strong second-half performance, outscoring their visitors 40-30 to secure an 76-66 victory. The win marked a significant milestone in the Sun Bowl Invitational tournament, as UTEP secured a spot in the consolation bracket.
Elijah Jones led the Miners' charge with 24 points on 2-of-5 three-point shooting and an impressive 66.7% field goal percentage. Jamal West Jr. contributed six rebounds, 15 points, one assist, and one steal, while KJ Thomas added four assists and five points to round out UTEP's balanced attack.
In stark contrast, N Dakota St relied heavily on Trevian Carson for their offense, who poured in 23 points but struggled with his outside shooting, going 1-of-3 from beyond the arc. The Bison's defense was equally ineffective, allowing UTEP to dominate the paint and score 38 points in that area alone.
The turning point of the game came at halftime, when UTEP's offense began to find its rhythm and their defense stiffened against N Dakota St's attack. From there, the Miners made a concerted effort to pull away from their visitors, ultimately leading by as many as 12 points in the final minutes.
Despite the loss, N Dakota St demonstrated significant promise with their young squad, showcasing flashes of brilliance that will be exciting for fans to see going forward.
Game Stats:
UTEP (HOME) - Field Goals: 26/55 (47.0%), 2-Point FG: 18/35 (51.4%), 3-Point FG: 8/20 (40.0%)
N Dakota St (AWAY) - Field Goals: 24/48 (50.0%), 2-Point FG: 21/32 (65.6%), 3-Point FG: 3/16 (19.0%)
Key Takeaways:
* UTEP's balanced attack, led by Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr., proved to be too much for N Dakota St's defense.
* Trevian Carson was a bright spot for the Bison with his scoring prowess, but outside shooting woes hindered their chances.
* The Miners' strong defensive performance in the second half sealed the win and marked a significant turning point in the game.
This win marks an important step forward for UTEP as they continue to build momentum in the Sun Bowl Invitational tournament. With their balanced attack and stifling defense, the Miners look poised for success in the coming weeks.