A half-closing 13-5 run gave UTEP a 37-29 intermission lead and helped save some face against North Carolina A&T in the first round of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Monday night.
A breakout half of 18 points for Souley Boum was the highlight, including a strange four-point sequence. A possession after his 3-pointer gave the Miners a 30-28 lead, Boum was fouled on a drive to the basket with 1:34 remaining.
He made his first free throw to go 24-of-24 on the year for free throws, then missed the second. Bryson Williams grabbed the rebound, threw it back to Boum and his 3-pointer made it 34-28.