UTEP rallies for 3rd straight win, beats Incarnate Word (Dec 19, 2017)

By AP
Published

EL PASO, Texas (AP) Paul Thomas, Omega Harris and Tirus Smith combined for 46 points as UTEP rallied in the second half to garner its third straight win on Tuesday night, a 72-66 victory over Incarnate Word.

Thomas had 16 points and eight rebounds, Harris was 6 of 11 from the floor for 15 and Smith also had 15 points with six rebounds. Kobe Magee chipped in 12 for the Miners (4-6).

UTEP was missing three players: Trey Wade returned home because of a death in the family, Matt Willms, a 7-foot-1 senior, reinjured his hand and was unable to play in addition to Isiah Osborne, who had strep throat.

Incarnate Word took a 49-43 lead, its largest advantage, when Sam Burmeister drilled a 3 with 10:26 remaining in the game. Magee hit a jumper and Harris slammed home a dunk to start a 13-3 run and UTEP never trailed after that.

Simi Socks led UIW (5-4) with 21 points.