UTEP snaps five-game skid against Tulsa

The Miners took the early lead and never trailed, ending the Tulsa Golden Hurricane's seven-game winning streak and halting UTEP's four-game slump in a 64-55 victory Feb. 8 at the Don Haskins Center.

Freshman guard Julian Washburn came out of the locker room, scored eight of his 13 points to begin the second half and put the Miners up 38-25. It was part of a UTEP 13-3 run in the second half.

"We started the second half and Julian (Washburn) got us going offensively and I like the way the baskets came, by him driving the ball," head coach Tim Floyd said. "Him getting the ball to the rim versus just settling and as a result, he shot five free throws. He has only shot 36 free-throws in 21 games and that is not enough for a guy with his athleticism."

Sophomore center John Bohannon and junior guard Jacques Streeter were not in the starting lineup, but provided UTEP with 23 points total off the bench. Bohannon finished with a team-high 16 points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Michael Perez finished with 14 points, including 8-of-10 from the line.

"Once again, our guys played like losing bothers them and that is really encouraging," Floyd said. "Yeah we had lost four on the road, but we fought and have been on the road in tough places with quality teams that we have been playing and this is a quality win."

UTEP's defense limited the Golden Hurricane to a 33.9 shooting percentage for the game.

"This win means a lot to us because Tulane was on a seven-game win streak and they are second in the conference right now," Washburn said. "It is just a big win especially on the defensive end because we held them to 33 percent from the field."

With no 3-pointers for UTEP in the game, it ended their 366-game streak with at least one 3-pointer in a contest.

"We didn't have a plan to not shoot threes," Floyd said. "I think they are one of the better 3-point defensive teams in the league."

The Miners prepare to take on the Green Wave once again as they will host Tulane Feb. 11 at the Don Haskins Center.

"We played them before and we know all they are going to do is drive, so we just have to be ready for that," Bohannon said.

Frankie Rodriguez may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.