EL PASO, Texas — Western Kentucky had every chance to sour UTEP's historic celebration Saturday afternoon.
Instead, the Hilltoppers' collapse became part of the Miners' big weekend.
WKU (12-12 overall, 4-7 Conference USA) let a 19-point lead with 8:47 left slip away, falling 93-89 in overtime at a sold-out Don Haskins Center.
"We did everything we needed to do to win the game other than step up, make a couple key plays and make some free throws," WKU coach Ray Harper said. "And the game is over. It's that simple."
As UTEP honored the 50th anniversary of its barrier-breaking 1966 national championship team, the Hilltoppers sucked the life out of the building midway through the second half.