University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
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UTEP
First Half Run Dooms Men's Basketball
1/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas - UTEP used a 17-0 run in the first half to take over the game, as Southern Miss dropped its sixth straight game, 74-40
With the loss, Southern Miss fell to 5-9 and 0-3 in Conference USA. The 34-point margin is the largest in the series. The 40 points are also the second fewest points Southern Miss has scored in a C-USA game.
Norville Carey was the only Golden Eagle in double-figures, scoring 10 points. Michael O'Donnell scored a season-high nine points, Jeremiah Eason had eight points and five rebounds and Matt Bingaya added seven points and a team-high six boards.
Cedrick Lang began the scoring, hitting a free throw and a layup to give the Miners an early 3-0 lead. Carey then then hit a jumper and followed with just his second career three-pointer as Southern Miss took a 5-3 lead 3:10 into the game.
However, the Golden Eagles missed their next 12 shots, as UTEP scored 17 consecutive points over the next 7:24 to take a 20-5 lead. A three-point play by Carey finally got Southern Miss back on the board.
The Miners then went on a 13-2 run before leading 40-15 at the half.
UTEP extended its lead to 33 by starting the second half on a 10-2 run. The Miners led by as many as 35 in the second half.
Southern Miss shot just 30.6% (15-of-49) and 21.1% (4-of-19) from three. The Miners connected on 28-of-49 (57.1%) and 10-of-20 (50.0%) from three.
Southern Miss returns home for two games, beginning next Thursday, January 15, to hosts Middle Tennessee. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
