EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Julian Washburn scored 18 points, Vince Hunter added 17 and UTEP beat Middle Tennessee 83-70 on Saturday.
UTEP (14-7, 6-3 Conference USA) had a nine-point run near the end of the first half and led 45-38 at the break.
Middle Tennessee pulled to within five after two free throws by Reggie Upshaw made it 71-66 with 5:07 left. But Earvin Morris drilled a 3-pointer and Vince Hunter followed with a layup, and UTEP held the Blue Raiders to one field goal over the last 5:43 of the game.
Washburn made all four of his 3-point attempts as the Miners went 12 of 16 from beyond the arc. C.J. Cooper added 12 points and five assists and Cedrick Lang had 11 points and 10 boards.
Middle Tennessee (12-10, 5-4 Conference USA) was led by Upshaw with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jacquez Rozier added 12 points.
(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
