Rodney Terry North Carolina A&T Post Game Press Conference

UTEP won their opening game of the 58th annual WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational over North Carolina A&T 72-54, and in doing so, improved to 6-1 on the season.  Playing for the first time in nine days, the Miners came out red-hot as they took an 18-8 lead early in the first half thanks to a phenomenal start by Souley Boum who shot the lights out by scoring nine straight points to begin the game.

The Miners made 7 of their first 9 shot attempts, including four of five 3-pointers as well.  UTEP took a 37-29 lead into the half, which ballooned to 57-36 with 12:05 left in the game thanks in part to Bryson Williams' second half scoring frenzy which enabled UTEP to cruise to the victory.  UTEP is now 7-0 at home for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

Williams finished with a double-double as he scored 21 points to go along with 10 boards, while Boum had the game of his life with 26 points and 7 rebounds.  The Miners will face UC Irvine in the championship game on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.  They are attempting to win their holiday tournament for the first time since 2014.  You can listen to all the action with Jon Teicher and Steve Yellen on 600 ESPN El Paso.