Miners Dominate SMU 76-63 to Close out Regular Season

UTEP's road woes were well documented this season.  The Miners saved their best for last in today's 76-63 throttling of SMU at the Culwell Center in Garland, Tx.

SMU's regular digs, venerable Moody Coliseum, is being renovated for next season.  Technically, it was a neutral court match-up and not a true road game.

The Miners came out of the gates like a team whose coach might be leaving them, shooting 60% in the first half and taking a 39-25 lead to the locker room.  UTEP cooled off to shoot 58% in the second half, but SMU never seriously threatened the Miners.

Julian Washburn led the way with 20 points, 8 rebounds on 9-13 shooting.  C.J. Cooper, Cedrick Lang, and McKenzie Moore finished with 13, 12, and 11 points respectively.  John Bohannon did not log a minute for the Miners.

Tim Floyd had this to say about today's performance:

“We were really solid offensively.  All night the ball moved and we shared it.  As a result we shot for percentage and really took quality shots.  We were good in the open floor, maybe the best we’ve been in terms of finishing plays.  We really have been suspect in that area all season long.”

Win or lose, UTEP was already locked into the three seed at next week's C-USA Tournament in Tulsa.  On Thursday, the Miners will play the winner of Wednesday's 6/11 matchup.