In a thrilling conclusion to the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, the UTEP men's basketball team edged past Yale with a narrow 75-74 victory to clinch their second consecutive tournament title. As reported by UTEPminers, Tournament MVP Otis Frazier III was pivotal, scoring 15 points and making a critical blocked shot with just two seconds on the clock, ensuring the Miners kept their lead.
Despite leading Yale by 12 points at halftime, UTEP found their grip on the game slipping as the Bulldogs mounted a comeback. According to KTSM, UTEP's performance from beyond the arc in the first half helped them build a healthy lead, with an 8-of-9 success rate in three-point shots. Coming out of the gate in the second half, Yale fired back, reducing UTEP's lead to a single point with less than seven minutes remaining in the game.
Coach Joe Golding expressed his pride in the team after the hard-fought win, acknowledging the challenges posed by Yale's adaptability after one of their key players, Casey Simmons, left the game early due to injury. "I’m really proud of this team. Are we perfect? No. But we fight and we won it tonight," Golding said in a postgame statement obtained by KTSM. The adjustment Yale made by increasing shooters on the floor made the defensive effort tougher for UTEP.
Frazier III's heroics weren't lost on those watching the game's final moments, as mentioned by El Paso Times, "It was a big play. No. 2 (Bez Mbeng) was driving to the basket all night and we knew he was going to do it again." UTEP's win comes off the heels of a contest that saw Yale missing shots at tying or taking the lead in the closing minutes, proving the Miners' resilience under pressure.
