For Starters
Coming off a grueling week-long, three-game road trip, UTEP (21-7, 11-4 WAC) wraps up the 2004-05 regular season with three home games. The Miners will host Louisiana Tech on Friday, SMU on Sunday and Boise State on March 5. UTEP is 13-2 at home this season, and 29-3 in the Don Haskins Center over the last two years. The Miners lost their last home game to Nevada, 62-60 on Feb. 12, which snapped a 13-game winning streak against WAC opponents in the Haskins Center.
Louisiana Tech brings a 13-11 overall record and 8-6 WAC mark into Friday’s game. The Bulldogs haven’t played since last Saturday when they lost to New Orleans, 87-85 in overtime, in a non-conference game in Ruston. Louisiana Tech is 5-7 on the road (3-4 in WAC play).
On The Radio
UTEP’s English flagship station is KROD 600 AM. Jon Teicher is in his 24th season as “Voice of the Miners.” Former Miner Steve Yellen provides color commentary. The pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. MST. The game will also be carried on KBUY 1360 AM in Ruidoso, N.M.
A Spanish language broadcast is available on La Consentida 1150 AM. Omar Ropele (play-by-play) and former UTEP player Victor Luces (color analyst) are the announcers.
On Television
The game will be televised in El Paso on Time Warner Cable Channel 7. Announcers for the SportsWest production are Trey Bender (play-by-play) and Dave Bollwinkel (color commentary).
The Series
UTEP and Louisiana Tech have split 14 previous meetings. The Miners own a 5-1 edge in games played in El Paso. Louisiana Tech beat UTEP, 80-65, on Jan. 29 in Ruston. That snapped a four-game winning streak for the Miners in a series which dates back to 1952. UTEP beat Louisiana Tech three times during the 2003-04 season, including a 62-55 decision in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament in Fresno, Calif. The Bulldogs played the Miners as well as anyone last year in the Don Haskins Center before succumbing 71-68.
The Last Meeting
Donell Allick scored all 23 of his points in the second half, as Louisiana Tech dominated UTEP after the break en route to an 80-65 victory on Jan. 29 in Ruston.
The Miners led 31-29 at the half, but were outscored 51-34 following the intermission.
Three UTEP players -- Will Kimble, Filiberto Rivera and John Tofi -- picked up their fourth fouls early in the second half.
Tofi recorded his fourth foul with 15:31 to play, and Kimble followed with his fourth at the 11:58 mark.
Rivera, who fouled out for the first time in 50 games as a Miner, picked up four personals in less than five minutes of the second half. He went to the bench with his fourth foul with 11:31 remaining and UTEP trailing 49-45.
With Rivera out, the Miners fell behind by as many as nine points, but rallied to pull within 60-56 on a three-point play by Omar Thomas with 5:08 to play.
Allick missed a three-pointer on the other end, but Paul Millsap grabbed the offensive rebound and Allick scored for a 62-56 lead.
Following a Thomas free throw, Corey Dean drained a three-pointer with 2:45 left to put the Bulldogs up 65-57 and end UTEP’s challenge.
Louisiana Tech finished 27-37 from the charity stripe, including 22-30 in the second half. UTEP was 11-15 from the line.
Millsap had 12 points and 13 rebounds in the second half. He finished with 20 points and 16 boards. Louisiana Tech outrebounded the Miners 23-17 in the second stanza.
Wayne Powell added 17 points and Daevon Haskins 14 for Louisiana Tech. Thomas had 23 points for UTEP, while Jason Williams contributed 17 and Miguel Ayala 10.
The Miners were 4-24 from beyond the three-point line, including 1-14 in the second half.
Scouting The Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech has had a rollercoaster ride of a season. The Bulldogs have had a five-game winning streak and a four-game losing slide this year.
After winning seven of eight games from Jan. 15-Feb. 12, Louisiana Tech has lost its last two contests at SMU (73-70) and to New Orleans at home (87-85 in overtime).
Sophomore forward Paul Millsap was third in the nation in rebounding entering the week, averaging 11.8 caroms per outing. He was also averaging 19.7 points and 2.0 blocked shots. Senior guard Donell Allick (12.1 ppg), senior forward Wayne Powell (11.3 ppg) and senior guard Corey Dean (10.2 ppg) were also averaging double figures in scoring. Junior guard Daevon Haskins has been one of the WAC’s top newcomers, averaging 8.0 points, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals.
The Bulldogs have three WAC road wins; only Nevada and UTEP (six apiece) have more. Louisiana Tech has won at Tulsa (58-52), Hawaii (61-59) and Fresno State (79-72).
Last Game: UTEP 71, Hawaii 67
Omar Thomas collected a game-high 27 points as UTEP completed its first sweep of the San Jose-Hawaii road trip in four years with a 71-67 win over the Warriors on Monday night.
UTEP trailed just once in the first half at 2-0, and led by as many as 11 points before settling for a 33-32 cushion at the intermission.
The Warriors, who lost their second consecutive home game, took a four-point advantage twice in the second half, the last at 50-46 on free throws by Jeff Blackett with 13:13 to play.
Hawaii was ahead 54-51 at the midway point of the second half before UTEP used a 9-0 run to seize a 60-54 lead. After the Warriors knotted the game at 62 with 3:56 remaining, Giovanni St. Amant hit a free throw and Filiberto Rivera drained a jumper for a 65-62 margin, and the Miners were in control the rest of the way.
Rivera scored 15 points and St. Amant 11 for the Miners, who shot 50.9 percent and outrebounded the Warriors 32-26. It marked just the second time in 13 games that UTEP had an edge on the boards.
Jake Sottos had 15 points, Jeff Blackett 12 and Julian Sensley 11 for Hawaii, which committed just four turnovers (all in the final 11 minutes).
Road Warriors
UTEP is 7-4 on the road this season, including 6-3 in WAC play. The seven road wins are the most for the Miners since the 1991-92 campaign, when they were also 7-4 away from home. UTEP won nine road games during the 1986-87 season (9-3).
The 6-3 road record in conference games is the best for the Miners since registering a 6-2 WAC away mark during the 1986-87 season.
UTEP has posted a winning record in WAC road games in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in school history. The 1982-83 and 1983-84 Miners also achieved this feat, going 5-3 in league road games each season.
Last year the Miners were 5-4 in WAC road contests. UTEP is 11-7 (.611) in WAC road games over the last two seasons; only Nevada is better at 10-5 (.667).
Back-to-Back 20-Win Seasons
UTEP has put together consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 1991-92 and 1992-93, when the Miners racked up 27 and 21 wins respectively. UTEP was 24-8 a year ago.
The Miners recorded their 20th victory on Feb. 16, making this the earliest in a season that UTEP has achieved its 20th win since 1986-87 (Feb. 14). Only three Miner teams have reached 20 wins faster (1983-84, 1985-86, 1986-87).
This is the 20th 20-win season in school history. Of the 19 previous 20-game winners, 18 advanced to postseason play (13 NCAA, five NIT). The only exception was the 1981-82 squad, which finished 20-8 but stayed home.
Sadler Has Winningest Debut
Doc Sadler has won 21 games this season, more than any other first-year UTEP coach. The legendary Don Haskins formerly held the record with 18 victories during his initial season (1961-62). Haskins and Sadler are the only coaches in school history to fashion a winning record in their first season at the helm of the storied program.
Sadler is one of 38 coaches who are new at NCAA Division I-A institutions this season. Through Tuesday, he had the third-most wins (21) and the fourth-best winning percentage (.750) among new head coaches.
UTEP in the NCAA/WAC Stats
UTEP was second nationally in free throw percentage (.790) through Tuesday, behind Michigan State (.805).
In the WAC stats, UTEP is first in scoring margin (+9.5 ppg), free throw percentage (.790) and turnover margin (+2.29). The Miners are second in scoring offense (73.6 ppg), scoring defense (64.1 ppg), assists (16.2 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.28), and third in field goal percentage (.457).
Individually, senior forward Omar Thomas is third in free throw percentage (.826), fourth in scoring (19.8 ppg), sixth in field goal percentage (.517), ninth in steals (1.4 spg) and 14th in rebounding (6.3 rpg). Junior forward Jason Williams is fifth in steals (1.5 spg) and ninth in assists (3.2 apg). Junior forward John Tofi is 10th in rebounding (6.6 rpg). Senior guard Filiberto Rivera is the league leader in free throw percentage (.865), assists (6.6 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (3.32) and 13th in scoring (13.0 ppg). Junior guard Miguel Ayala is seventh in three-point field goals made per game (1.9).
Rivera Moving Up Assist Charts
Senior guard Filiberto Rivera has 160 assists this season and 312 in two years as a Miner, figures that rank sixth and fifth respectively in school history. His free throw percentage this season (.865) rates second in school annals behind Charlie Brakes (.889, 1971-72 season).
Tracking “O.T.”
Senior forward Omar Thomas is just the third player in school history to score 1,000 points in two seasons, joining Jim Barnes (1962-64) who collected 1,308 points in two years, and Antoine Gillespie (1992-95), who racked up 1,099 points in his first two seasons. Barnes was the number one overall choice by New York in the 1964 NBA Draft and Gillespie is UTEP’s second all-time leading scorer.
With three more field goals, Thomas will tie Al Tolen for the 10th-best seasonal total in school history. Tolen made 196 field goals during the 1959-60 season. Thomas is tied for seventh on the season list with 161 free throws made, as well as 10th in free throw percentage (.826) and 11th in free throw attempts (195).
On the Miner career charts, Thomas is second in free throw percentage (.804), eighth in field goal percentage (.523) and 11th in free throws made (315).
He currently rates 24th on the school’s all-time scoring list, and eighth in single-season points.
Homecourt Dominance
UTEP is 29-3 at home over the last two seasons. The Miners own more home wins than any other WAC school during that span (Nevada is second with 28 homecourt victories).
The Miners’ average margin of victory at home this season has been 21.3 points. Ten of the 13 wins have been by 13 points or more.
UTEP is averaging 77.4 points at home this season, with a .472 field goal percentage, .378 three-point field goal percentage and .797 free
throw percentage. Opponents are averaging 60.1 points while shooting .400 from the field, .329 from beyond the arc and .657 at the charity stripe.
The Miners are averaging 10.4 more free throw attempts than opponents at home, and have a +5.1 rebound margin in the Haskins Center.
UTEP is 13-2 in WAC home games over the last two years, the second-best mark in the league behind Nevada’s 16-2 record at the Lawlor Events Center.
WAC Wins Record in Reach
UTEP has a chance to close out its 36th and final season in the Western Athletic Conference in style. With wins in their final three home games, the Miners could register 14 league victories for the first time in school history. The school record for WAC wins is 13, established by the 1983-84, 1986-87, 1994-95 and 2003-04 squads.
A Whole Lotta Games Going On
Counting the WAC Tournament and postseason play, UTEP is guaranteed to play at least 33 games this season. The school record for games played is 34, logged by both the 1991-92 and 1992-93 clubs.
Two-Headed Two-Guard
Juniors Miguel Ayala and Giovanni St. Amant have teamed to average 14.5 points and 2.7 assists at the shooting guard position. They have been particularly effective in home games, combining for a 16.4 scoring average with a .487 field goal percentage, .448 three-point field goal percentage and .857 free throw percentage.
St. Amant has started 20 games, and Ayala has started eight. Both have better statistics when they come off the bench than when they start. Ayala has scored in double figures 10 times (eight as a reserve), and St. Amant has scored in double figures on eight occasions (five as a starter).
Miner Trends
Junior forward Jason Williams shot 50 percent from the field (3-6) for the first time in nine games at Hawaii on Monday...Williams has not made a three-pointer in his last six games (0-7). Over the last nine games, he is 3-18 from beyond the arc...junior guard Giovanni St. Amant has made 9-14 three-point shots (.643) over the last six contests...junior guard Miguel Ayala has made a three-pointer in 15 of the last 16 games. He has hit more than one three-point field goal just once in the last six games (7-22 from beyond the arc during that span)...senior forward Thomas Gehrke has been on the floor for an average of 16.6 minutes in the last five games, compared to 1.6 in the previous nine outings. He has scored in six straight games, the longest streak since his sophomore year (2002-03) when he collected points in 15 consecutive outings...senior guard Filiberto Rivera has had more assists than turnovers in 12 straight games (80-24 during that span)...over the last six games, junior forward John Tofi is averaging 9.7 points with a .558 (24-43) field goal percentage. He has averaged 10.7 rebounds over the last three games...senior center Will Kimble has been scoreless in six of the last seven games...over the last six games, UTEP has averaged 9.8 turnovers...six of the Miners’ last seven opponents have shot 47 percent or better from the field.
Never a Dull Moment
The Miners have made a habit of overcoming big deficits and losing big leads this season.
The Miners have had three comeback victories from deficits of 10 points or greater. The Miners trailed by 11 points at the 1:58 mark of the first half at San Jose State, but went on to win 70-62. IPFW held a 10-point advantage over UTEP with 11:03 remaining in the first half, before the Miners rallied for a 67-58 victory. The Miners also trailed by 10 with 1:06 left in the first half against Arizona State before bouncing back for a 66-65 win.
On the other hand,three of UTEP’s six losses have come after the Miners led by eight points or more. UTEP was up by eight points versus Nevada with 15:37 to go in the game before falling 62-60. The Miners led by nine points with 13:45 left in the first half at Fresno State before succumbing 66-63. UTEP also led by eight points with 15:51 remaining in the first half against Southern Illinois before the Salukis rallied for a 68-62 victory.
Five times the Miners have rallied to win after blowing double-digit leads. UTEP lost a 24-point lead at Nevada, a 13-point lead at home to Hawaii, a 10-point lead at SMU, a 13-point margin at Rice and an 11-point advantage at Hawaii.
UTEP has led wire-to-wire four times this season (versus Tulsa, Occidental College, Oklahoma Panhandle State and Jackson State). The only time a UTEP opponent led the entire way was at Tulsa on Feb. 3.
Miners Good in the Close Ones
Since the start of the 2003-04 season UTEP is 10-3 in WAC games decided by five points or less, including 6-2 in 2004-05. Overall the Miners are 7-2 this season in games determined by five points or fewer. UTEP has beaten Arizona State (66-65), Nevada (83-80 in overtime), Hawaii (71-70), San Jose State (69-65), SMU (60-55), Rice (73-71) and Hawaii (71-67), and lost to Fresno State (66-63) and Nevada (62-60).
70 is a Magic Number
Scoring 70 points has translated to winning games over the last three seasons. Since the start of the 2002-03 campaign, UTEP is 41-4 when scoring 70 points (15-0 this season), and 10-35 when totaling less than 70 points (6-7 this season). UTEP has won six games when scoring less than 70 points for the first time since 1997-98 (seven times).
Earlier this year, the Miners scored 90+ points in three straight WAC games for the first time in school history. It marked the first time that UTEP registered three consecutive 90-point games since 1968-69.
Keys to Success
Here is a look at some trends in UTEP victories this season:
UTEP is 11-1 when its post players (Will Kimble, John Tofi) combine to score 11 points or more. The Miners are 4-1 when Tofi scores in double figures and 4-0 when Kimble scores in double figures.
UTEP is 18-3 when shooting 40 percent or better. The Miners are 9-0 when holding opponents to less than 40 percent shooting.
UTEP is 16-1 when having a better field goal percentage than the opposition.
The Miners are 11-1 when outrebounding foes.
UTEP is 17-3 when committing equal or fewer turnovers than opponents.
UTEP is 15-0 when scoring 70 points or more.
The Miners are 10-1 when their bench outscores the opponent’s reserves.
UTEP is 11-0 when shooting at least 35 percent from three-point range.
UTEP is 17-3 when shooting more free throws than foes.
UTEP is 5-1 when four or more players score in double figures.
UTEP is 14-3 when Jason Williams scores in double figures and 7-1 when Giovanni St. Amant does so.
On a Roll at the Charity Stripe
Over the last six games the Miners have made 96 of 109 free throws (.880) led by senior forward Omar Thomas, who is 27-29 from the charity stripe during that span, and senior guard Filiberto Rivera, who is 28-31. Thomas set a school game record for free throw attempts without a miss (14) at Rice on Feb. 5. Junior guard Miguel Ayala has made his last 12 foul shots.
Thomas has made 13 or more foul shots in four games this season.
UTEP’s current free throw percentage of .790 would be a school record (current mark is .766 set by the 1968-69 squad). The Miners have shot 75 percent or better from the charity stripe in 19 of 28 games, and 80 percent or better on 14 occasions.
The Miners have a stellar .821 free throw percentage in WAC contests. The WAC record for season free throw percentage in conference games is held by BYU (.805 in 1988-89).
For the second straight season, UTEP has made more free throws (484) than its opponents have attempted (466). UTEP has shot more free throws than foes in 20 of 28 games this season.
The Miners’ top three guards -- junior Miguel Ayala, Rivera and junior Giovanni St. Amant -- have combined to make 85 percent of their freebies (158-185).
40+ Wins in Two Years
UTEP has won 44 games in two years for the first time since 1991-92 and 1992-93 (48 wins). The Miners are 45-15 since the start of the 2003-04 campaign.
UTEP is 24-9 in WAC play over the last two years. Only Nevada (26-7) has a better league mark during that span.
Lethal From Three
UTEP has made 100 three-pointers in WAC games, third in the league behind Boise State (111 triples) and Fresno State (104). UTEP leads the WAC in three-point field goal percentage (.385) for conference games only.
Senior guard Filiberto Rivera is third in the WAC in three-point percentage for conference games (.417), and junior guard Miguel Ayala is fourth (.407). UTEP has made a three-pointer in 133 straight games.
Ayala made six trifectas versus Rice on Jan. 6, and Rivera added six more at Nevada on Jan. 12. Against the Owls, Ayala became the second Miner to hit six or more three-pointers in a reserve role. Henry Hall buried six three-pointers in 28 minutes off the bench at BYU on Jan. 11, 1990.
Thomas Putting Up Big Numbers
Senior forward Omar Thomas has had twelve 20-point games this season, with eight coming on the road. UTEP is 9-3 in 2004-05 when Thomas scores 20 points or more (15-5 in his career). He has scored 20 points or more 20 times in 60 career contests.
Thomas has scored in double figures in 27 of 28 games this season, and 33 of the last 35 dating back to 2003-04. He has attempted a free throw in every game this season, and in 38 straight contests dating back to the 2003-04 campaign.
While Thomas has put up some spectacular numbers in two seasons in the Sun City, statistics suggest that the Miners are a better team when they are spreading the wealth. UTEP is 17-11 in Thomas’ career when he leads the team in scoring, and 28-4 when he either ties for the team lead or someone else is the high point man.
Williams is Mr. Versatile
Junior forward Jason Williams has done a little bit of everything for the Miners over the last two seasons. Currently he is first on the team in steals (1.5 spg), second in assists (3.2 apg), and third in scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (5.8 rpg).
Last season he became only the third forward in school history to record 100 assists, joining Johnny Melvin in 1990-91 (102) and Leonard Owens in 2000-01 (103). He is 10 away from logging 100 again in 2004-05.
Historically, when Williams has played well the Miners have won. UTEP is 29-8 in his career when he scores in double figures, 14-0 when he leads the team in scoring and 7-0 when he has a 20-point game.
Rivera is Assist Leader
Senior guard Filiberto Rivera leads the WAC in assists for all games (6.6 apg) and conference games only (6.9 apg). He is trying to become just the second Miner to lead the league in assists. Future NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway first achieved this feat during the 1987-88 campaign, averaging 5.7 assists.
Rivera is on pace to put together the first 200-assist season by a WAC player since Fresno State’s Demetrius Porter registered 206 during the 1999-00 campaign.
Rivera has had more turnovers than assists just four times in 57 career games. He has had no turnovers in 10 career contests, including two of the last three (at San Jose State, at Hawaii). Rivera has had two turnovers in the last three games combined.
UTEP has had 15 turnovers or more just six times in Rivera’s 25 games this season. The Miners have had single-digit turnovers on eight occasions in 2004-05.
Rivera has had 10 or more assists in three games this season (10 at New Mexico State, 12 versus Alabama State, 12 against Fresno State). He is the ninth Miner to post 10 or more assists in a game, joining Hardaway (four times), Eddie Rivera (three times), Prince Stewart (three times), Joe Griffin (twice), Eggie McRae (twice), Rudy Alvarez, Costello and Ed Haller.
Rivera has had two “double-double” games for points and assists, tying Hardaway for the second-top career total in UTEP history. Eddie Rivera (no relation) is the record-holder with three.
17-0 is Longest Run
UTEP had a 17-0 scoring run in the first half versus Delaware State, turning a 15-14 deficit into a 31-15 advantage. UTEP had 16-0 runs against Tulsa, Nevada and San Jose State, and a 14-0 spurt versus Oklahoma Panhandle State.
The longest opponent run in 2004-05 is 17-0 by Hawaii on Jan. 20.
Still the Only One
UTEP is the only school in the state of Texas to win a national title on the hardwood (1966). The Miners have made 23 postseason tournament appearances and captured 12 WAC titles (eight regular season, four tournament).
The 1966 national champion Miners are the subject of a Disney feature film, Glory Road, coming in 2005. The film stars Josh Lucas (A Beautiful Mind, Sweet Home Alabama) as legendary UTEP coach Don Haskins and Academy Award winner Jon Voight as Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp.
Miners Win Sun Bowl Tournament
UTEP defeated Alabama State (89-57) and Princeton (68-42) on Dec. 27-28 to capture its second consecutive State Farm Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament title. The Miners hadn’t won the tournament in successive years since 1990-91.
Senior forward Omar Thomas was chosen tournament MVP for the second year in a row. He averaged 25 points in the two games, shooting 72 percent (18-25) from the field and 74 percent (14-19) from the line. In four career State Farm Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament games, Thomas has averaged 23 points on 71 percent (32-45) field goal shooting and 74 percent (28-38) free throw shooting.
Thomas is the first player to earn MVP honors of the tournament in back-to-back seasons since UTEP’s Tim Hardaway in 1987 and 1988. Thomas joins Hardaway, Nate Archibald (1968-69), Gary Brewster (1972, 1974-75), Anthony Burns (1979-80) and Fred Reynolds (1981, 1983) as the only multiple MVP winners in the history of the tournament, which originated in 1961 (tournament officials first began selecting an MVP in 1968).
C-USA in 05
UTEP will shift to Conference USA effective on July 1, 2005. The Miners will join WAC brethren Rice, SMU and Tulsa in the new-look league which will also include Central Florida, East Carolina, Houston, Marshall, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulane and UAB.
Last year C-USA advanced eight men’s basketball teams to postseason play (six NCAA, two NIT).
UTEP has been a member of the Western Athletic Conference since September, 1967.
Miner Nuggets
UTEP has beaten every WAC team this season except Louisiana Tech...the Miners have swept Hawaii, Rice and San Jose State...UTEP swept Hawaii and Rice for the first time since the 2000-01 season...the Miners handed Hawaii a second consecutive loss at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu for the first time since January, 2001 on Monday...UTEP has won three consecutive WAC road games (Rice, San Jose State, Hawaii) for the first time since 1993-94, when the Miners prevailed at Fresno State, Air Force and Wyoming in succession...UTEP shot over 50 percent (.509) at Hawaii for just the second time in 13 games. UTEP is 7-0 when hitting at least half of its shots this season...junior forward John Tofi has 527 career rebounds, including 32 in the last three games...Tofi (12 points-12 rebounds) and senior forward Omar Thomas (21 points-12 rebounds) both had double-doubles at Pacific on Saturday, marking the first time two Miners have turned in double-doubles in a game since Jan. 26, 2002 versus Boise State (Roy Smallwood 17 points-11 rebounds, Brian Stewart 17 points-11 rebounds). It was Thomas’ sixth career double-double (all this season), and Tofi’s fifth (first this season)...senior guard Filiberto Rivera’s seven steals at San Jose State on Feb. 16 tied the school record and were the most by a Miner since Sharif Fajardo also had seven thefts on Feb. 4, 1999 at Hawaii...UTEP is 20-4 over the last two seasons when Tofi scores in double figures...UTEP has held 31 of its last 33 opponents to field goal percentages below 50...UTEP has held three teams to less than 50 points (Oklahoma Panhandle State, Occidental College, Princeton) this season, marking the first time that has happened at the school since 1990-91 (three times)...with 52 three-pointers this season, junior Miguel Ayala has the 10th-top seasonal total in school history. Mark McCall (1990-91) is ninth with 56 trifectas...UTEP is 9-0 this season when nine or more players score, and 18-4 when seven or more players score (3-3 when six or fewer score)...the Miners have had more assists than turnovers in 16 of the last 20 games, and 20 times in 28 contests this season...the Miners were perfect (10-10) from the foul line at Boise State on Jan. 1 for the first time since Jan. 13, 1977 against Arizona State (11-11)...starters have scored 1,578 of UTEP’s 2,060 points in 2004-05 (77 percent).
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