UTEP MBB Seeks Sweep Versus LA Tech Saturday Night

1/23/2021 11:49:00 AM

UTEP vs. LA Tech Game Notes

EL PASO – UTEP is looking to even its Conference USA record when it hosts LA Tech at 6 p.m. in the Haskins Center on Saturday night.

The Miners and Bulldogs can be heard on the home of UTEP Basketball 600 ESPN El Paso and on the UTEP Miners app with "The Voice of the Miners" Jon Teicher calling the action in his 40^th season. The contest will also be streamed on ESPN+ with Erik Elken doing play-by-play and Leonard Owens providing analysis.

The Miners (7-6, 3-4 C-USA) snapped three-game losing streak when they broke the Bulldogs' (11-5, 4-3 C-USA) three-game winning streak, 82-74, on Friday night.

UTEP never trailed during Friday's contest, while leading by as much as 16 points in the second half. LA Tech got within four points (38-34) at the 2:37 mark of the first half, but was outscored by UTEP, 12-4, to take a 50-38 lead into the locker room.

Bryson Williams led all scorers with 28 points, while Souley Boum notched his third-career double-double (second this season) after grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds and tallying 24 points. Keonte Kennedy dished out a career-high six assists, while scoring 13 points with five rebounds. Jamal Bieniemy also tallied six assists and collected a season-high seven boards. Kristian Sjolund came off the bench and scored seven points, including a clutch four-point play at the end of the first half.

The Miners dished out 20 assists (most versus a C-USA team this season), while only turning the ball over eight times. UTEP ranks eighth nationally and first in C-USA in turnovers per game (10.1). It's the sixth time this season UTEP only registered single-digits in turnovers, while only turning the ball over 16 times during its last two contests. The Miners rank first in C-USA and 38^th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3).

The Bulldogs received a strong performance from freshman phenom Kenneth Lofton Jr., who led his squad in points (20) and rebounds (13) with his 6-7, 275-pound frame. Jacolby Pemberton added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Amorie Archibald (11 points) and Isaiah Crawford (10) also hit double figures.

UTEP tied its season high with 14 made free throws, while LA Tech hit 26 free throws, a season most allowed against the Miners. The Miners' defense stepped up, allowing season lows in field goal percentage (31.7) and made field goals (20) versus a C-USA opponent.

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