W. Kentucky withstands UTEP rally for a 65-62 win (Jan 26, 2017)

By AP
Published

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) Pancake Thomas scored 25 points, Justin Johnson had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Que Johnson had 10 boards and Western Kentucky held off UTEP with a 65-62 win Thursday night to snap a four-game skid.

Jake Flaggert missed a 3-pointer and a chance to tie as the clock expired. The loss ended UTEP's three-game winning streak.

Thomas now has 1,021 points in a career that's also included stints at New Mexico and Hartford.

Western Kentucky (10-11, 4-4 Conference USA) built a 46-29 halftime shooting 48 percent from the field, hitting 6 of 14 behind the arc. The Hilltoppers went cold after the break, hitting just 7 of 28 shots and scored 19 points.

Johnson's basket with 7:11 left made it 61-54 iand the score held until UTEP's Matt Willms layup three minutes later.

Willms led the way for UTEP (5-14, 3-4) with 27 points on 13-for-16 shooting. Omega Harris added 15 points and Dominic Artis had 14.