Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Randy Culpepper scored 18 points as the UTEP Miners edged the Houston Cougars, 57-52, in a Conference USA showdown at Hofheinz Arena.
Jeremy Williams scored 15 points for the Miners (16-4, 4-1 C-USA) and Julyan Stone pulled down 14 rebounds.
Houston (11-7, 3-2) was led in defeat by Adam Brown’s 22 points, while Kirk Van Slyke added 12 points and seven boards.
Houston led 29-28 after one half behind 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range.
UTEP battled back and was buoyed by Stone, who scored four crucial points in the final minute to seal the Miners’ victory.
The tight-fisted affair featured 12 ties and eight lead changes.