The UTEP men’s basketball team (16-10, 9-5 Conference-USA ) were able to get the win and series sweep against the University of Southern Mississippi ( 6-20, 1-12 C-USA) Feb.19 at the Reed Coliseum. The Miners shot a high 54% from the 3-point line in this 84-70 victory, after playing very lethargic to start the game.
“I was proud of our guys, we figured it out,” UTEP Head Coach Joe Golding said. “Offensively, I thought that we were pretty good. Bottom line: it’s hard to win on the road and to come here and do it on a quick turnaround in a tough place to play, we’ll take it.
In the start of the first half, the Miners started were slow to start and trailed 6-2 early in this contest. Then were tied at 12-12 after made baskets.
The Miners were able to put together a strong scoring run to take a 18-17 lead after a low post score by junior forward Tydus Verhoeven.
Then, sophomore guard Jorell Saterfield buried a 3-pointer to put the Miners in front 24-20. Saterfield was on a hot streak, making back-to-back 3-pointers early in this contest.
At the 7:58 mark, the Miners continued a 13-2 scoring run after a Verhoeven low post score to put the Miners up 31-22.
Junior guard Souley Boum was able to sink his first 3-pointers to put the Miners up 34-22.
Towards the end of the half, Southern Miss went on a 7-0 run to cut down the Miners lead to 37-32.
Junior guard Christian Agnew splashed a 3-pointer to go up 42-32 at the end of half.
The Miners led 42-32 at halftime.
In the start of the second half, Agnew was able to drain a 3-pointer to put the Miners up 45-34. However, Southern Miss drilled a 3-pointer to bring the score down to 47-39.
Agnew was able to get another lay-up to fall to put the Miners up 49-41. Junior guard Jamal Bieniemy was able to have his presence felt in this game after getting a lay-up to drop to put the Miners up 51-46.
Following that score, Boum got a lay-up to put the Miners up 53-36, Bieniemy knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Miners up 56-46.
At the 10:13 mark, Junior forward Isaih Moore hit a 3-pointer to cut the score to 56-49.
Southern Miss was able to cut down the score to 61-55, but were unable to catch up in this contest due to the fact the Miners went on a 12-2 run to push the Miners lead to 73-59.
The Miners went on to win this game 84-70.
“Our guys found a way to win, and I’m proud of them,” Golding said. “They’re a very resilient group, and they’re fun to coach.”
Leading scorers of this game were Bieniemy scoring 19 points and grabbing one rebound, next Saterfield followed with 12 points. And finally, Boum scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds to help his team in this victory.
Defensively, the Miners were able to force 18 turnovers in this contest. On offense, the Miners shot 54% from the 3-point line.
The UTEP men’s basketball team can be seen back in action in their next game against Middle Tennesse State University at 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Murphy Center.
Stats provided with the help of UTEP Athletics.
Daniel Alec Lopez is a reporter and can be reached at [email protected].
