Rice Owls @ UTEP Miners
UTEP edges Rice 68-65
EL PASO, Texas -- Vince Hunter posted a double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, as UTEP edged Rice 68-65 on Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams.
Julian Washburn added 19 points and Cedrick Lang had 11 points for the Miners (21-9, 13-5 Conference USA), who play in the Conference USA tournament in Birmingham on March 12.
UTEP jumped to a 10-0 advantage early in the first half and they led 29-27 at the break. Bishop Mency sank a 3-pointer to start the second half and Rice took a 30-29 lead. Mency hit another from distance to put Rice up 55-50 before UTEP responded with a 10-3 run capped by a Hunter layup to take a 60-58 lead with 2:49 left and the Miners held on for the win despite a 3-pointer by Rice's Marcus Jackson at the buzzer.
Jackson led the Owls (11-19, 8-10) with 19 points.
Game Information
El Paso, TX
Referee:Greg Rennegarbe
Referee:Brent Dugas
Referee:Toby Martinez
2025-26 Standings
| American Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 15-3 | - | 25-9 |
| Tulsa | 13-5 | 2 | 30-8 |
| Wichita State | 13-5 | 2 | 24-12 |
| UAB | 11-7 | 4 | 20-12 |
| North Texas | 9-9 | 6 | 19-14 |
| Florida Atlantic | 9-9 | 6 | 18-15 |
| Charlotte | 9-9 | 6 | 17-17 |
| Tulane | 8-10 | 7 | 18-15 |
| Temple | 8-10 | 7 | 16-16 |
| Memphis | 8-10 | 7 | 13-19 |
| Rice | 7-11 | 8 | 13-18 |
| East Carolina | 6-12 | 9 | 11-20 |
| UTSA | 1-17 | 14 | 5-25 |
| Conference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |
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