UTEP rolls past USM

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Stefon Jackson scored a game-high 22 points to help lead Texas-El Paso to a 68-50 victory over Southern Miss on Wednesday night.

UTEP (11-7, 3-1 C-USA) overcame poor shooting with stingy defense, making 13 steals and forcing the Golden Eagles into 25 turnovers.

The Miners led 36-23 at halftime.

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Jackson was the only Miner to score in double figures. Jackson, Malik Alvin and Dale Vanwright each had six rebounds.

Craig Craft led Southern Miss (11-5, 1-2) with 13 points on 5-of-8 field goal shooting. Jeremy Wise added 10 points. Sai’Quon Stone and Andre Stephens had seven rebounds apiece.

The Miners shot 32 percent from the field for the game to 38 percent for the Golden Lions.

UTEP managed 28 points off turnovers to 15 for Southern Miss. The Miners also held the rebounding advantage, 43-40.

UTEP took its largest lead, a 20-point margin, with 5 minutes remaining.

The Golden Eagles travel to Birmingham for a date with Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday afternoon.