March 12, 2009
Final Stats
UTEP-Houston Box Score (PDF)
Aubrey Coleman scored 24 points and Kelvin Lewis added 22 as Houston dealt UTEP a tough 89-85 overtime setback in the quarterfinals in the Conference USA Tournament on Thursday at the FedExForum in Memphis.
UTEP (19-12) showed a great deal of character, rallying from a 17-point first half deficit to take the lead three times. But the Cougars (21-10) made 4-of-5 shot attempts in overtime in outscoring the Miners 15-11 and advancing to Friday's semifinal against C-USA regular season champion Memphis.
"I told my kids in the locker room after the game that I couldn't be more proud of the way they played," UTEP coach Tony Barbee said. "They dug their heels in and found a way to get themselves back in the game. I told them on the board before the game, whatever happens, whether we get out to a quick start or whether we start out slow, just stick to our principles, stick to our game plan, stick to everything that we've done this year and it will get you back in the game. We did that."
The Miners got off to a sluggish start and trailed 26-9 midway through the first half. UTEP ended the first half with a 16-5 run to pull within five points, 34-29.
The Cougars opened up a seven-point lead -- their largest of the second half -- on two free throws by Qa'rraan Calhoun with 6:35 to play. UTEP looked to be on life support with 28 seconds remaining, trailing 74-70. But Julyan Stone drove to the basket and was fouled with 23 seconds left, making both to slice the deficit to 74-72.
Houston's Nick Mosley turned the ball over under heavy pressure, and Stefon Jackson drained a jumper with 10 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
UTEP led just once in overtime, however, 77-76 on two free throws by Randy Culpepper with 3:54 on the clock. Houston scored the next seven points, then held off another Miner rally in the final seconds.
The closest the Miners could get was 87-85 with nine seconds remaining on a Jackson free throw. But Jackson, who finished with 38 points, committed his fifth foul on the next play and Lewis cashed in on two free throws with seven seconds to go for the final score.
Culpepper also fouled out with 38 seconds left in OT. He finished with 16 points.
"We had our opportunities in regulation. We had our opportunities in overtime," Barbee said. "This time of the year, you have to take advantage of your opportunities. We just weren't able to capitalize on some of the mistakes. Whether they caused them, or we did them on our own, we had plenty of opportunities and we couldn't capitalize on them when we had them."
Arnett Moultrie added 13 points and 17 rebounds for the Miners, and Stone had 12 points. UTEP lost for the first time in five games this season when Stone scored in double figures.
The 38 points by Jackson and 17 rebounds by Stone were both UTEP conference tournament records. UTEP's 54 rebounds were also a conference tournament record.
Jackson became only the second player in school history to score 30 points in three consecutive games, joining All-American Jim Barnes who achieved the feat three times during the 1960's.
The Miners are expected to earn a bid to one of three postseason events - the NIT, the CBI or the new CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Selections will be announced next week.
"I'm proud of the year that we've had, and there are going to be more games," Barbee said.
