A strong second half effort Wednesday night lifted UTEP past North Carolina A&T, 75-62, in the opening round of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at the Don Haskins Center.
The 8-3 Miners will face Kent State in Thursday's championship game at 7:30 p.m., which will be preceded by the consolation game at 5:30 p.m. featuring New Mexico State and North Carolina A&T.
The Miners are 8-0 at home this season and are 3-0 all-time against North Carolina A&T.
UTEP shot 58.3% in the second half as guard Shamar Givance scored all 18 of his points in the second half, including 12 straight at one point.