Cardiac Kids: Huge Comeback Propels UTEP into CUSA Title Game

There is nothing like March Madness in college basketball. For UTEP fans, the last two weeks has been especially memorable. After a regular season filled with inconsistency and disappointment, the Miners have saved their best basketball for last. For the second straight game, the team came from a double digit deficit to win in the CUSA Tournament. This time, they stunned top seed Sam Houston State 65-63 in the semifinals, and UTEP is now one win away from returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 14 years.

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The Miners trailed Sam Houston State by as many as 14 points in the second half, but things started to change when head coach Joe Golding brought Derick Hamilton into the game with 13:11 left to play. Suddenly, Sam Houston State was not able to play the tough on ball defense that had frustrated the Miners for much of the game. Instead, the big man dominated down low and he also forced the Bearkats to alter their defense. When Corey Camper Jr. drained a three-point shot with 5:15 left to play, the Miners took the lead 53-50 (21-4 UTEP run) and they never relinquished it again.

What has been the biggest difference in UTEP's late season turnaround. The answer came on Leap Year Day, when the Miners knocked off Jacksonville State on the road. It was not only their first road win, but it also gave this team much needed confidence and a shot in the arm. They responded two days later with their best road performance of the season against Liberty and a seven-point home win against FIU to go into the CUSA Tournament.

Coach Golding has UTEP believing that no deficit is too much for them to overcome. Tae Hardy has been the leader on the court but now he has plenty of help. CUSA Freshman of the Year David Terrell Jr. gets better every game. Camper's confidence is also at a high and Hamilton's presence in the paint has been an issue for every opponent that have faced the Miners. Tomorrow night, Western Kentucky is all that stands in the way for UTEP to complete the trifecta and win the CUSA Tournament.