Through 40 minutes of back-and-forth basketball, UTEP proved that they got better from their loss to Saint Mary's (73-61), as they fell 69-61 to Pac-12 affiliate Arizona on Saturday.
The familiar issues of long scoring droughts, lack of defense, and inability to adjust after halftime were on full display for UTEP in their loss to St. Mary's.
The five day COVID layoff combined with the absence of starting point guard Jamal Bieniemy led to UTEP struggling to put away Division 3 opponent Sul Ross.
Amid 16 different lead changes, the UTEP men's basketball team (2-0) outlasted Sul Ross State (Div. III) 84-65 on Saturday night at the Haskins Center.
The Miners had six players score in double figures, as UTEP cruised to a season-opening 100-81 victory over UTPB in an empty Don Haskins Center on Wednesday night.
The Miners will have an opportunity to face a top-25 opponent in their non-conference slate with Arizona State added to their schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 16.