Dec. 5, 2009
Final Stats
Box Score in PDF Format 
UTEP's bench scored 79 points as the Miners polished off the University of the Southwest, 91-51, in an exhibition game on Saturday at the Don Haskins Center.
The Miners made short work of the Mustangs, bolting to a 24-4 lead in the first 10 minutes. UTEP led 46-18 at halftime and enjoyed its largest advantage of 45 points, 83-38, with 5:32 to play.
Regulars Randy Culpepper, Arnett Moultrie and Julyan Stone were on the floor for only a few minutes each, and another starter, Christian Polk, did not play in the game.
"He's fine, we just wanted to give him the opportunity to rest his knee," UTEP coach Tony Barbee said of Polk, who is coming off microfracture surgery.
Four Miners scored in double figures off the bench, led by freshman Marcus Ruppel with 23 points. Ruppel added 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and four steals in 30 minutes.
Claude Britten scored 21 points, Jeremy Williams netted 14 and Myron Strong chipped in with 10 for UTEP, which jumps back into regular season play at home versus New Mexico State on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7:05 p.m.
Gabriel McCulley had a near triple-double for the Miners with eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Miners shot 55.2 percent from the field and made 28 assists on 37 field goals.
"The key to the game was nobody got hurt," Barbee said. "We were able to work out some kinks, and we got a lot accomplished in this game."
