The UTEP men's basketball team have suffered an extremely challenging start to their season. However, back to back overtime wins may give this group some much needed confidence.

The Miners outlasted Florida Atlantic 66-65 in overtime last night at the Don Haskins Center to win their second consecutive conference game. Omega Harris lead UTEP with 18 points, while Matt Willms scored 16 and Paul Thomas added 14 points and eight rebounds. The announced crowd of 5,745 have been waiting since November to get excited about their team. Although a pair of overtime wins against two Florida schools might not be reason to celebrate, Tim Floyd's team needed these games in the worst way.

The Miners are now 2-3 in C-USA and do not play again until next Saturday night when they host UTSA. The Roadrunners are 9-9 this season but more importantly, they have won four of their first five games. That included a 67-55 over the Miners on New Year's Day. UTEP gets a chance for revenge next weekend and a shot to even their conference record. Miners fans are hoping that their team can replicate some of the success they experienced during the 2013-14 season, when a shorthanded group was able to get hot in league play and win 23 games. Although these teams are completely different, fans now have a sense of optimism, something they lacked just three days ago.

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