Feb. 25, 2009
Final Stats |
Photo Gallery by Ivan Pierre Aguirre 
UTEP-SMU Box Score (PDF) 
Stefon Jackson tallied 28 points, including a crucial three-point bank shot in overtime, as UTEP edged SMU, 61-58, on Wednesday at the Don Haskins Center.
The Miners (17-10, 8-5 C-USA) stayed in the hunt for a top-four seed at the Conference USA Tournament by beating the Mustangs (8-18, 2-11 C-USA). UTEP is now tied for fourth place in the league standings with Houston, a 77-68 loser at Tulsa earlier in the night.
UTEP has three games remaining, including the home finale versus UAB on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:05 p.m. All tickets for the UAB game will be $5 for "Senior Night" and will go on sale Friday at the University Ticket Center.
The Miners will also play at Tulane on Saturday and at Southern Miss on March 7.
UTEP trailed 30-20 after shooting 20 percent in the first half, and fell behind by 15 points, 43-28, six-and-a-half minutes into the second period.
But the Miners got back into the game behind a 15-2 run that sliced a 46-31 deficit down to 48-46. UTEP finally took the lead, 55-53, on a layup by Jackson with 1:48 remaining. It was the Miners' first lead since it was 19-18 with 3:36 to go in the first half.
SMU's Mouhammad Faye nailed a jumper just inside the three-point line with 27 seconds left to knot the score, and Jackson missed a three pointer at the end of regulation.
The teams combined for only nine points in overtime, but six went to the Miners. Tavaris Watts gave UTEP the lead for good, 57-55, on a jumper with 3:41 to play, then Jackson banked in the trifecta with the shot clock winding down for a 60-55 advantage with 1:52 remaining.
Watts not only provided the assist on Jackson's three pointer, but also scored 14 points and tied his career high with nine rebounds.
Jackson and Watts combined for 42 of the Miners' 61 points, including 32 of 41 in the second half and overtime.
Derek Williams scored 13 points for SMU, which remained winless on the road (0-11) this season. UTEP has won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the state rivals.
