If the UTEP men’s basketball team is going to be good this year, the Miners are going to have to run up turnover margins. They are going to have to create havoc on defense and value the ball on offense.
UTEP is going to have to do what it did in its 98-56 opening win against UT Permian Basin, the nation’s No. 9 Division II team, when it took the ball away 20 times while giving it away seven. When UTPB held on to the ball long enough to shoot it, the Falcons shot 34% as the Miner defense was all it was supposed to be.
Leading by 12 at the half, UTEP began the second period with a 17-2 run and emptied its bench.
Sophomore KJ Thomas didn’t light up the scoresheet, but his seven assists, zero turnovers and two steals in 20 minutes exemplify what UTEP is looking for from a point guard. Kaseem Watson led UTEP with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Jamal West had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Elijah Jones scored 13 points as UTEP played 12 of its 14 players, and all saw time in the first half, when the game was competitive.
Miners up 12 at half
UTEP scored the first eight points of the game, never trailed, and later added a 15-0 run as it took a 44-32 lead to intermission.
After the 15-0 run, the Miners were up 33-14, though the Falcons went on a quick 8-0 run over three possessions to have it within distant striking distance by intermission.
Kaseem Watson led the Miners with nine first-half points.
Up next
The Miners are back in action Friday night when they host Western New Mexico. The 7 p.m. tip will stream on ESPN+.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP Miners men’s basketball turns over UT Permian Basin, runs away with opening win
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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