UTEP Basketball Loses Sixth Straight Game

Most fans thought that last night's game against a two-win Northern Arizona would be a chance for the UTEP men's basketball team to get a much needed victory and some confidence heading into next week's WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. Think again. The Lumberjacks shocked the Miners 76-74, sending UTEP (2-7) to their sixth consecutive loss.

"We did not rebound it against an inferior size team. Credit them and their effort coming on the road,” UTEP head coach Tim Floyd said after the game. "They did a really nice job. We had just a terrific amount of defensive breakdowns, which are frustrating when you get it to two or four where it’s invariably either a lack of a defensive board, a putback or a guy catching it deep right around the rim with a little shot fake and make a basket and plus one. Interior defense is not very good. And we’ve got to continue to work, is all I can tell you."

As Coach Floyd and the Miners prepare for 1-10 Maryland Eastern Shore Wednesday night at 7pm, there are still plenty of issues plaguing his team:

1. Lack of defense, especially on the perimeter
2. Rebounding
3. Another scoring option outside of Dominic Artis and Omega Harris
4. Turnovers

The consolation and championship games of the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational are at 5 and 7 p.m., respectively, on Thursday. Tickets are available by calling (915) 533-4416.