New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Konner Tucker paced the Miners with 14
points as Texas-El Paso picked up a 66-57 victory over the Tulane Green Wave
in the Conference USA opener for both sides at Devlin Fieldhouse.
Julian Washburn chipped in 12 points for UTEP (7-6, 1-0 C-USA), which picked
up its fourth win in its last five outings. Jacques Street chipped in 10
points and six assists to help the Miners notch their first true road win of
the year.
Ricky Tarrant paced Tulane (12-4, 0-1) with 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting from
the field. Josh Davis and Tre Drye both contributed nine points and nine
rebounds each for the Green Wave, which lost at home for the first time this
season after winning its first 10 at Devlin Fieldhouse.
The Miners built a 17-6 lead just over nine minutes after tip-off, but Tulane
fought back the rest of the way and Drye closed out the half with a dunk that
narrowed the deficit to 28-26 at the intermission. UTEP's bench provided 10
points in the opening 20 minutes help it go in front, but it was lucky to be
in front as Tulane went just 4-of-10 at the charity stripe before halftime.
The Green Wave had trouble finding their touch after the break as they shot
just 31.3 percent from the floor including a 1-of-9 mark from 3-point range.
UTEP converted 52.2 percent of its field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes
and led by as many as 15 before arriving at the nine-point decision.
The Miners enjoyed a slim 38-34 advantage in the rebounding battle and
assisted 15 of their 24 made field goals en route to their 1-0 C-USA record.
GAME NOTES:
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