Editor’s Note: This is not the most recent game of men’s basketball.

The UTEP Miners (17-10, 7-7 Conference USA) hit the road in a recent match against Jacksonville State University (19-9, 11-4 CUSA), ultimately falling short in a completed contest of 73-65. However, this game highlighted senior forward Otis Frazier III’s many efforts, including a career-high 25 points and earned 10 rebounds and five steals. Not only did this mark his third double-double this season and 168 career steals but moved him into fourth place all time on UTEP’s career charts for the category.

Highlights also include senior forward Kevin Kalu scoring nine points plus six rebounds, and seven points from senior guard Corey Camper Jr. Notably, sophomore guard David Terrell Jr. put in nine points, a team high four assists and seven rebounds.

Head Coach Joe Golding commented on what worked and what didn’t for this go around on the road.

“It wasn’t pretty both ways,” Golding said. “We didn’t get off to a great start defensively again.  We battled back, but we had that one segment where were took three crappy shots and gave them an 8-0 run to get (the deficit back up) at halftime.”

The Jax State Gamecocks managed to acquire many stats for its team with redshirt senior guard Jaron Pierre Jr. who commanded the scoreboard with 23 points for his team. The team also managed a well-rounded defensive and scored in the double digits.  However, UTEP advanced with points in the paint 36-24, points off turnovers 15-13, fast-break scoring 20-12, and bench scoring 13-11.

The match started off quickly, with Jax State’s Pierre scoring a triple, but UTEP dampened the fire quickly with a dunk shot from Kalu and a hook shot from Terrell to make the score 4-3. Jax State quickly responded with 6 points in concession, before Camper stopped their streak. However, the Gamecocks made a crucial 3-pointer making UTEP fall behind by 6 points.

Although there was a stall in points, UTEP kept the effort going when junior guard Ahamad Bynum made two free throws, sophomore forward Elijah Jones blocking a shot and junior guard Devon Barnes getting a rebound and helping Jones score. However, this energy did not last for long as the Gamecocks came in to score 8 consecutive points marking a score of 24-13 in the first half.

Soon this sparked something within UTEP as the team banded together to turn up defensively and get in an 8-1-point run. There was much back and forth between the two teams with much aid from Terrell until UTEP hit a roadblock with a 10-2 push from Jax State to close the half.

UTEP didn’t stop the effort, slowly chipping away at Jax State to the very end. However, the Gamecocks were able to pull a 14-point surge out of their sleeve leaving the game score 73-65. The Miners will return home for their two conference final matchups of the season on Feb. 27 against Western Kentucky University, followed by Middle Tennessee on March 1.