The UTEP men’s basketball team (14-10, 7-5 Conference USA) fell to the University of Marshall (9-16, 2-9 C-USA) Feb. 13 at the Don Haskins Center. The Miners could not get stops on defense, which allowed Marshall to make consecutive baskets inside the paint, and outside the paint in this 79-88 loss.
Junior guard Souley Boum and junior guard Jamal Bieniemy scored in double figures in this contest, but that was not enough to overcome this loss.
“That’s just a talented team that can ball,” Boum said during a after game press conference. “They’re a good offensive team, they knocked us out of the tournament. They shoot the ball really well, our defense wasn’t up to par.”
In the start of the first half, the Miners took a 15-11 lead. Junior forward Tydus Verhoeven increased that lead on a hook shot to push the Miners lead to 17-13.
But the Thunder Herd began to chip away at the Miners early lead in this contest.
The chipping away started with, the Thunder Herd tying the game 19-19 with a 3-pointer. However, Boum gave the Miners a 22-19 lead after a made 3-pointer.
Freshman forward Ze’Rik Oneyma dunked the ball to give the Miners a 32-24 lead.
Later on in this contest, UTEP had a bit of a problem keeping the ball, as the Miners turned the ball over a couple of times in crucial possessions. That actually helped the Thunder Herd go on a run and get back into the game.
Marshall went15-6 on offense, towards the end of the half, giving the Thunder Herd a 38-39 lead in this contest after made free throws.
At halftime the Thunder Herd led 38-39.
The Miners in the first half struggled to close out on defense, whether it’d be in the paint or at the 3-point line.
“We did not deserve to win this game,” UTEP head coach Joe Golding said. “Marshall played great, total respect for Marshall. They outcoached us; they outplayed us. Give credit to Marshall. We’ve been through a lot, and they continue to grind. They’re playing hard. Tonight it just wasn’t our night, and it wasn’t on them (the team), it’s on me.
In the start of the second half, Marshall took a 41-38 lead after a lay-up. The Thunder Herd led for three minutes, until the Miners tied the game up 46-46 after free throws from Bieniemy.
Then, Marshall took a 53-59 lead off back-to-back 3-pointers.
Later on, the Thunder Herd took a 71-63 lead after a 3-pointer. But the Miners got free throws from a technical foul to cut the lead down to 65-71.
The Miners got a late 3-pointer from freshman forward Jamari Sibley to put the score at 75-84. Unfortunately, the Thunder Herd ended up winning this contest 88-79.
Leading scorers of this game for the Miners were Boum with 32 points and three rebounds, followed with Bieniemy scoring 23 points and grabbing four rebounds. Finally, Sibley contributed to the team by scoring 7 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
“Everything in year one is a learning experience,” Golding said. “We’re a work in progress still. We’re still trying to get better on things, and tonight’s a great example.”
The UTEP men’s basketball team can be seen back in action in their next game against Louisiana Tech University at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Stats provided with the help of UTEP Athletics.
Daniel Alec Lopez is a staff reported and can be reached at [email protected].
