UTEP men’s basketball team falls, 78-74, on road at Western Kentucky
The UTEP men’s basketball team lost, 78-74, at Western Kentucky in a back and forth game.
Don McHenry’s old fashioned three-point play with 1:01 left in Thursday’s game gave the Hilltoppers a 75-71 lead. The Miners had a chance to tie it at 72 but Otis Frazier missed a free throw after being fouled on a made 3-pointer.
The Miners were still in it and trailed 76-74 with 10 seconds left when David Terrell scored on a 3-point play but Tyron Marshall got away from the UTEP defense to score a basketball for the final margin.
UTEP, which was tied for first place with Middle Tennessee and Jacksonville State at 5-2 in the Conference USA standings entering Thursday, falls to 15-6 overall and 5-3 in league play. Western Kentucky is 13-8 overall and 4-4 in league.
There were 10 ties and nine lead changes in the game. The Miners hurt themselves by committing 17 turnovers.
At halftime, the Miners trailed 34-32. Despite making just 10 of 28 from the field, the Miners trailed by two points by outscoring the Hilltoppers, 9-4, at the free throw line.
Guard Devon Barnes led the Miners with nine points in the first half.
UTEP led by David Terrell
Terrell led UTEP with 15 points and eight assists, Barnes scored 11 points and had six assists and Elijah Jones added 10 points. UTEP made nine 3-pointers in the game and was 19 of 24 from 3-point range.
Khristi Lander paced Western Kentucky
Lander led all scorers with 28 points. He made 11 of 15 shots from the field.
Chaos in the standings
There is now a four-way tie for second between Liberty, UTEP, Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State at 5-3. Jacksonville State at 6-2 is in sole possession of first.
Up next for UTEP
The Miners continue their road trip at Middle Tennessee. Tip off is at 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
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