The UTEP men’s basketball team closed out 2017 on a high-note, outscoring a struggling Rice Owls team by 20 (51-31) in the second half to secure a 80-62 win on Saturday night at the Don Haskins Center.
With the victory, the Miners (6-8, 1-1 C-USA) grabbed their first win in Conference USA play.
UTEP shot 63.2 percent (12-19) from behind the arc on the night, nailing 8-of-10 attempts in the second half. However, it wasn’t just the three-ball that helped the Miners tonight. The team as a whole recored a season-high shooting night of 55.4 percent (31-56) from the floor while Rice shot just 36 percent (22-61).