EL PASO, Texas - Middle Tennessee dropped an overtime nailbiter to the UTEP Miners, 83-80, Thursday evening at the Don Haskins Center.

The Blue Raiders jumped out to a fast start, building a 19-8 advantage in the opening eight minutes behind eight early points from Kamari Lands. Middle Tennessee later extended the lead with a 9-3 run over a two-minute stretch to go up 30-17.

UTEP responded with a surge of its own, trimming the deficit to as few as two before closing the half on back-to-back baskets to take a 44-37 lead into the break. Lands paced MTSU with 11 points in the first half, while Tre Green and Sean Smith added eight points apiece.

In the second half, Middle Tennessee's lead fluctuated between two and 10 points, but a late Miners run forced overtime for the second straight season in El Paso. UTEP carried the momentum into the extra period and pulled out the 83-80 victory.

Nick McDevitt
"We knew we were going to be in a physical battle, and we didn't respond to the physicality of the game. You know, you are always disappointed with the loss, but how we lost was the most disappointing."

By the Numbers
16:Chris Loofe dropped a career-high in points; Sean Smith was just one shy of his season high with 16 points.
11:James Dent Jr. logged 11 minutes, his most since Nov. 25 vs McNeese State

Up Next
Middle Tennessee will head to Las Cruces to face the New Mexico State Aggies on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Pan American Center.