Editor’s note: This recap is not the most recent game for UTEP men’s basketball.
The UTEP men’s basketball team handed UC Santa Barbara (4-1, 0-0 Big West) its first loss of the season, securing a hard-fought 79-76 win on Nov. 20 at the Thunderdome. UTEP (3-1, 0-0 Conference USA) dominated early with a 14-2 run to open the game, setting the tone for a tough, defensive battle.
Senior forward Otis Frazier III was prominent in the first half, scoring 11 consecutive points during a game-changing 11-1 stretch that pushed the Miners’ lead to 15.
In the second quarter, junior guard Devon Barnes knocked down two early triples, and Frazier III contributed with aggressive play in the paint and sharp passing. UTEP’s defense forced six turnovers during the second stretch, turning them into easy-scoring opportunities.
UCSB fought back late in the first half, going on a 10-0 run to trim UTEP’s lead to 37-32 at the break. But the Miners responded after halftime, with Frazier III scoring quick baskets on the first two possessions. Senior guard Corey Camper Jr. added a three-pointer to stretch the lead back to double digits.
In the second half, sophomore guard Ahamad Bynum took center stage, delivering three 3-pointers and finished with 12 points in the final 20 minutes.Despite UCSB cutting the point deficit down to four multiple times, Bynum’s shooting kept the Miners in control. He converted a three-point play and followed it up with back-to-back 3-pointers, helping UTEP maintain its lead down the stretch. Barnes added a triple late, and Camper Jr. hit a driving layup in the final minutes to seal the victory.
UTEP’s offense was efficient, shooting 49.1% from the floor, and 50% from 3-point range. The Miners also shared the ball effectively, recording 14 assists on their 28 field goals while committing just eight turnovers. At the free-throw line, the team converted 12 of 18 attempts.
On defense, UTEP disrupted UCSB’s typically 3-point solid game. They were held to just 31.8% shooting from beyond the arc. UTEP also forced 16 turnovers, turning them into 20 points, while Frazier III added a defensive highlight of four blocked shots.
While UCSB out-rebounded UTEP 39-22 and shot 50% overall, the Miners’ defensive pressure and sharp shooting proved the difference. UTEP now focuses on its next challenge against the San Jose State Spartans (1-5, 0-0 Mountain West) on Nov. 25, aiming to carry this momentum forward as the season progresses.
SalmaPaola Baca is the photo editor and may be reached at [email protected]; @photographybysalmapaola on Instagram.
