Dec. 17, 2008
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Stefon Jackson and Randy Culpepper combined for 55 points as UTEP routed Texas Tech, 96-78, on Wednesday at the Don Haskins Center.
The Miners (5-4) snapped a seven-game losing streak at the hands of the Red Raiders (7-3), while tying their second-largest margin of victory in the 60-game series. It was UTEP's first victory over Tech since 2000 and its first win over the West Texas rivals in El Paso since 1992.
The 96 points also marked the most UTEP has ever scored versus TTU. The previous high was 90 points in a 117-90 setback to the Red Raiders in Lubbock on Feb. 27, 1956.
The Miners trailed just once, 2-0. UTEP took the lead for good on a three pointer by Randy Culpepper 40 seconds into the first half.
The Miners led by as many as 11 points in the second half before taking a nine-point margin, 43-34, into the locker room. UTEP blew the game open with a 9-0 run midway through the second period, extending a 67-53 lead to 76-53.
UTEP's largest lead of the night was 27 points twice, the last at 91-64 on a Culpepper jumper with 7:11 to play.
The Miners showed renewed defensive intensity following Sunday's 90-78 setback at New Mexico State. UTEP forced 18 turnovers and, while the Red Raiders scored 78 points, they fell 11 points short of their season average coming into the game.
John Roberson led Texas Tech with 33 points, but no other Red Raider had more than 10. Alan Voskuil, who entered the night tied with Roberson for the team scoring lead at 15.3 ppg, finished 1-for-10 from the floor and 0-for-6 from three point land for three points.
Arnett Moultrie added 15 points for the Miners, and Julyan Stone tied his career high with 11 assists.
Jackson pulled down seven rebounds, giving him 503 in his career. He is only the 21st player in school history to collect 1,000 points and 500 boards, and the fifth guard.
With 28 points, Jackson moved into eighth place on the all-time Conference USA scoring list. He now has 1,751 points. Jackson passed Charlotte's Jobey Thomas (1,737 points) on Wednesday.
Culpepper netted 27 points.
The Miners will host New Mexico State in the I-10 series rematch on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. MST.
