Defense travels, defense wins championships, and defense helped UTEP wipe the floor with Rice in a 86-76 quarterfinal win Thursday afternoon in the C-USA Tournament.
UTEP had four players foul out, and Matt Willms only played 15 minutes, but it never became a major issue as UTEP’s defense was key in stifling Rice’s high-powered offense in a game UTEP controlled with a double digit lead for most of the game.
The Miners have now won eight straight against Rice, and set up a rematch with league leading Middle Tennessee in the semifinal round tomorrow.