SB Nation Houston - Culpepper Explodes For 33 As UH Goes Under .500https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-02-22T15:48:23-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17671572011-02-22T15:48:23-06:002011-02-22T15:48:23-06:00Back in the Saddle: UTEP Holds Off Houston to Take Back 1st Place in C-USA
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The UTEP Miners edged the Houston Cougars last night to take back first place in the Conference USA standings. The race is on in the C-USA.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.minerrush.com/2011/2/20/2004429/back-in-the-saddle-utep-miners-holds-off-houston-cougars-1st-place-conference-usa-cusa">http://www.minerrush.com/2011/2/20/2004429/back-in-the-saddle-utep-miners-holds-off-houston-cougars-1st-place-conference-usa-cusa</a></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/2/22/2008676/back-in-the-saddle-utep-holds-off-houston-to-take-back-1st-place-in-cTrei Brundrett2011-02-20T02:15:19-06:002011-02-20T02:15:19-06:00UTEP Breezes By Cougars, 76-64
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>El Paso, TX (Sports Network) – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27365/randy-culpepper">Randy Culpepper</a> poured in 33 points to lead the Texas-El Paso Miners to a 76-64 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/houston-cougars">Houston Cougars</a> in a Conference <span class="caps">USA</span> matchup at the Don Haskins Center.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27373/claude-britten">Claude Britten</a> added 14 points for the Miners (20-6, 8-3 C-<span class="caps">USA</span>).</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123656/alandise-harris">Alandise Harris</a> paced Houston (12-13, 4-8) in defeat, as he netted 18 points. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100210/maurice-mcneil">Maurice McNeil</a> added 13 points and seven rebounds and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27081/zamal-nixon">Zamal Nixon</a> finished with 11 points and six assists.</p>
<p>The Miners jumped out to a 36-28 lead at the break, as they held Houston to just 32.3 percent first half shooting.</p>
<p>Texas-El Paso put the game away by connecting on 16-of-18 free throws over the final 20 minutes of action.</p>
<p>The Miners played physical ball, outscoring the Cougars 36-28 in the paint.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/2/20/2003916/utep-breezes-by-cougars-76-64Rivers McCown2011-02-19T14:10:15-06:002011-02-19T14:10:15-06:00Cougars Square Off With Culpepper, Miners
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Conference USA action is featured at the Don Haskins Center tonight as the Miners of Texas-El Paso play host to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/houston-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Cougars</a>.</p>
<p>Houston fell its last time out, 65-51, after hosting SMU this past Wednesday evening. The loss was the Cougars' sixth in their last seven appearances, which includes two overtimes defeats.</p>
<p>Texas-El Paso is also coming off of a loss after falling to Southern Miss by a 64-51 margin on the road on Wednesday. Prior to the loss, the Miners were winners of six of their previous seven affairs.</p>
<p>Texas-El Paso currently holds an 11-8 lead in the all-time series between these teams, including a well-fought 57-52 victory in Houston that took place on January 22nd.</p>
<p>Houston made a valiant effort but was ultimately unable to overcome the Mustangs as the Cougars fell 65-51 at home on Wednesday. Houston's defense struggled throughout the entire affair as SMU finished with a 56.8 shooting percentage. The Mustangs shot 62.5 percent in the opening half to take a 39-32 lead over Houston into the intermission. SMU scored the first bucket to start the second half, but the Cougars responded with a 7-0 spurt to move to within three points. However, that would be the closest Houston would get to toppling SMU as the Cougars were held scoreless all the way until the final 39 seconds of the contest. Senior forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100210/maurice-mcneil" class="sbn-auto-link">Maurice McNeil</a> led Houston by netting 14 points in the loss, while junior guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123655/darian-thibodeaux" class="sbn-auto-link">Darian Thibodeaux</a> added 12.</p>
<p>Texas-El Paso went stale down the stretch in last Wednesday's disappointing 64-51 loss at Southern Miss, being outscored 11-1 to end the game. The Miners seemed to be in control of the affair for the majority of the second half. After taking a slim 29-26 advantage into the break while holding the Eagles to just 37.9 percent shooting, UTEP stretched its lead to 41-28 at one point in the second stanza. The Miners then proceeded to give up 36 of the next 46 points scored in the contest en route to the devastating conference loss. Senior center Claude Britton scored a game-high 21 points for UTEP, while team leading scorer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27365/randy-culpepper" class="sbn-auto-link">Randy Culpepper</a> netted 14. The senior guard has been exceptional this season, contributing 18.8 ppg for the Miners.</p>
<p>The Miners exhibit a more talented and explosive roster, and after being up- ended in devastating fashion their last time out, expect UTEP to come into this affair and successfully defend home court.</p>
<p>Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas-El Paso 80, Houston 66</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/2/19/2330068/cougars-square-off-with-culpepper-minersRivers McCown