UTEP was going to lose with 0:04 seconds to play at East Carolina Saturday, and there was a litany of reasons why that was to be.
Then McKenzie Moore made a long, long 3-pointer, from far above the top of the circle, for a 68-67 win. It was a close game all the way; another UTEP blow-for-blow with an opponent. UTEP put back on display a penchant for good defense, but an inability to make an offensive run. Finish off those close shot attempts, already!
On this night it was the Miners' turn to prevail when neither team was acting dominant. East Carolina, for example, make 20 of 21 free throws, but couldn't win a home game against a Miner team that made only 16 of 27 and missed many close shots. If it wasn't a Chris Washburn dunk, it was an "ohhhh, he (name a Miner) missed the shot!"
This was a night UTEP's mystery talent, John Bohannan, had a press-clippings game with 23 points and the free throws that kept this a blow-for-blow game into the last two minutes.
UTEP is now 11-7 (4-1 in Conference USA. East Carolina is 12-7 (3-3)
UTEP has the defense to challenge for the league title. If it can learn to put the ball in the basket from 5, 10 and 15 feet - instead of from Hail Mary outer space - Coach Tim Floyd has his program-building in forward motion.
Assistant coach Phil Johnson said it best in the post-game show. If we had made our free throws we would had won by 10. The team needs to get better at free throw shooting. Too often it happens that games are decided at the charity stripe.
Good win tonight. Bo stepped up when Konner had an off night. Kudos to him for not reacting and going after that ECU player when it happened. And of course Mackenzie Moore for making that clutch three to win it at the end. Memphis barely squeaked by Marshall tonight. UTEP is still very much in contention for the C-USA title. Miner Strong!
Posted by: miner maniac | January 26, 2013 at 08:54 PM
So glad I did not listen on the radio. I don't need drama, at least not so early in season. Go miners!
Posted by: toby tibbins | January 26, 2013 at 09:03 PM
Joe how about mentioning the fact that UTEP was down by 4 with a minute left and came back to win or the fact that they never had a lead in the second half until there was 0 seconds left on the clock. UTEP may have not made close shots but they set a season high of 14 made 3 pointers which broke their previous season high of 9!
Posted by: UTEP fan in SA | January 26, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Hey Joe, tell UTEP fan in SA that UTEP made 4 three pointers.
Posted by: Bubba | January 26, 2013 at 11:03 PM
He's just stating what the AP recap is reporting, though the stats show the truth...
Posted by: Jeeber | January 26, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Nice win for the Miners. I'm still chuckling after seeing the ECU bench starting their celebrations just prior to the dagger-shot stroking the net. Yes, props to Tucker for not reacting after being punched. A melee would not have helped us win this game. He stayed cool and ECU lost a player due to ejection - certainly that helped us. Good job Miners.
Posted by: Canaima | January 27, 2013 at 07:50 AM
Great win Miner's! See you in B-ham - I have court side tickets. Missed you in Tulane earlier this season, but Bartow Arena is 5 minutes from my home. Also plan to catch the So. Miss game.
Pick'em Miner's!
Posted by: Pascal Fortran | January 27, 2013 at 09:15 AM
Here's a link to the video showing the Konner Tucker punch - hope the player gets suspended for a few games. Again, kudos to the Miners for not letting this get out of hand:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/east-carolina-shamarr-bowden-apologizes-punching-utep-guard-155314604--ncaab.html
Posted by: Canaima | January 28, 2013 at 06:23 PM
A great way to win.
Posted by: A Fan | January 28, 2013 at 11:15 PM
I just want to know how Bowden only got a 1 game suspension? I think if we had lost the game we would be talking about the punches more than the game. You could use it as a strategy. Bring in a bench player, than assault a starter and just get one game off for it. Ridicules
Posted by: Henry | January 31, 2013 at 07:31 AM