University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, January 2
Reed Green Coliseum
4 p.m.
Southern Miss
-54,11 CUSA
62
vs
77
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UTEP
-53,11 CUSA
1
2
F
UTEP
30
47
77
Southern Miss.
29
33
62
UTEP Pulls Away in Second Half to Defeat Golden Eagles
1/2/2021 7:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss.-- Southern Miss' bid for a five-game win streak came to an end Saturday evening as UTEP took a 77-62 decision.
It came on the heels of the Golden Eagles' 74-66 overtime victory on Friday that featured a seven-point comeback in the final 45 seconds.
"We have to play with a high level of intensity, mentally and physically," head coach Jay Ladner said. "Give UTEP credit. They got stung last night and played very well tonight. We battled back in the first half and challenged our guys at the break, but we didn't get enough stops. UTEP did a great job at handling the ball and getting looks. When you turn it over 18 times and force three, that's like giving a team 15 free possessions at half-court before the game begins."
Southern Miss fell behind 19-11 in the first eight minutes but crept back to a 26-25 lead with 3:15 left. The Miners ultimately went into the break up 30-29 and then scored eight-straight points to force a Golden Eagle timeout.
It remained a 46-38 margin with 13:53 to play after two Jaron Pierre Jr. free-throws, but the Miners responded with seven-straight to take a 15-point cushion and maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way. UTEP had a 27-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Golden Eagles (5-4, 1-1 C-USA) will next travel to UAB for a Friday-Saturday swing.
NOTABLE
-UTEP's victory snapped a 12-game streak by the home team in the all-time series.
-Jaron Pierre Jr. led the way with 15 points, his fourth time in double-figures this season.
-Southern Miss went 17-for-22 at the foul line after going 20-for-25 on Friday night. Both of those are season-highs for attempts and makes.
It came on the heels of the Golden Eagles' 74-66 overtime victory on Friday that featured a seven-point comeback in the final 45 seconds.
"We have to play with a high level of intensity, mentally and physically," head coach Jay Ladner said. "Give UTEP credit. They got stung last night and played very well tonight. We battled back in the first half and challenged our guys at the break, but we didn't get enough stops. UTEP did a great job at handling the ball and getting looks. When you turn it over 18 times and force three, that's like giving a team 15 free possessions at half-court before the game begins."
Southern Miss fell behind 19-11 in the first eight minutes but crept back to a 26-25 lead with 3:15 left. The Miners ultimately went into the break up 30-29 and then scored eight-straight points to force a Golden Eagle timeout.
It remained a 46-38 margin with 13:53 to play after two Jaron Pierre Jr. free-throws, but the Miners responded with seven-straight to take a 15-point cushion and maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way. UTEP had a 27-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Golden Eagles (5-4, 1-1 C-USA) will next travel to UAB for a Friday-Saturday swing.
NOTABLE
-UTEP's victory snapped a 12-game streak by the home team in the all-time series.
-Jaron Pierre Jr. led the way with 15 points, his fourth time in double-figures this season.
-Southern Miss went 17-for-22 at the foul line after going 20-for-25 on Friday night. Both of those are season-highs for attempts and makes.
Team Stats
UTEP
USM
FG%
.509
.538
3FG%
.455
.429
FT%
.765
.773
RB
17
32
TO
3
18
STL
9
0
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
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