Same Old Problem: UTEP's free throws cost Miner men in opener
· Yahoo Sports
The new-look UTEP basketball team had a quite familiar old problem in its opening 84-76 loss to Northern Kentucky: the Miners still lose games from the free-throw line.
Playing against a team that won 20 games last year s a member of the Horizon League, UTEP knocked down 14 of 24 free throws while the Norse made 30-of-33, wiping out a number of things UTEP did well.
Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.
UTEP trailed most of the game and was within 69-66 inside 4 minutes to go before a five-point NKU run proved more than the Miners could overcome. The North shot 50% to UTEP's 38% and the Miners made 8-of-30 3-pointers, as some other old problems of shooting arose. UTEP also struggled to contain NKU's guards, accounting for much of the 24 Miner fouls.
Freshman Youssouf Traore led the Miners with 18 points and six rebounds, Donovan Criss added 13 points and Augusto Cassia had 10 points.
UTEP down 4 at half
Northern Kentucky closed the first half on a 10-3 run and led 42-38 into the halftime locker room. The Miners struggled on defense, as the Norse shot 56% in the opening 20 minutes. Northern Kentucky also made all 10 of its free-throw attempts while UTEP was 3-of-8, accounting for the difference in the score.
Youssouf Traore led the Miners with eight first-half points.
Up next
UTEP opens its home schedule at the newly rechristened GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center when it hosts Incarnate Word on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tip is at 5 p.m. and will be streamed on MW+ and aired on 600 ESPN El Paso.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Same Old Problem: UTEP's free throws cost Miner men in opener