There are many reasons the UTEP men's basketball team will be a tough out in the postseason.
In a 70-67 victory over Rice, it showed the No. 1 reason: The Miners are tough.
On a night where they looked doomed for most of the second half as they were chasing the game, Rice's Carl Pierre was pouring in 30 points and Rice shot twice as many free throws, UTEP found a way through.
A rejuvenated Keonte Kennedy, another reason why UTEP still has more chapters to write this season, made three free throws in the last 46 seconds and the Miners defended a trio of Rice 3-point shots in the final 10 seconds, as UTEP locked up fourth place in the Conference USA West by moving to 10-7.