Hunter scores 22, UTEP holds off UAB 71-69
EL PASO, Texas -- Vince Hunter scored 22 points and UTEP outscored UAB by 17 at the free throw line on Thursday for a 71-69 win that knocked the Blazers out of a three-way tie on top of the Conference USA standings.
The Miners (13-7, 5-3) scored 13 straight points, holding the Blazers (10-11, 6-2) scoreless for nearly 6 1/2 minutes to take a 62-55 lead with 1:24 left.
It was 66-57 after a Hunter dunk with 47 seconds left but UAB knocked down four straight 3-pointers, the last by Nick Horton with six seconds left to make it 70-69. Earvin Morris made one of two foul shots with five seconds left and a William Lee 3-point attempt hit the front of the rim with one second left.
UTEP, a 64 percent free throw shooting team, made 9 of 11 from the line in the final 1:24 to finish 21 of 33. Hunter, a 55.4 percent foul shooter, was 12 of 16. UAB was 4 of 5 from the line.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Terry Oglesby
- Rick Hartzell
- Ray Natili
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
| Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
| Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
| UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
| Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
| SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
| North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
| Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
| East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
| Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
| Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
| Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
| UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
| Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
| Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
| Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
| New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
| Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |
Men's College Basketball News
