The UTEP Miners (6-7) and the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1-10) face off in the consolation game of the Bank of the West Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational. In the opening round, the Miners lost a tough one to Colorado St. 56-53, while the Golden Lions were outmatched from start to finish, losing to Jacksonville St. 78-55.
The two teams have faced each other 6 times previously, with the Miners winning all six by and average of 28 points a contest. They have played each other in five of the last six seasons, with the last meeting coming on December 12th 2010. That night the Miners put it on the Golden Lions, racing out to a 25-4 lead, and building a 68-30 advantage, before finally defeating Pine Bluff by a final of 77-54.
The Miners will look to get back on the winning track before opening up the conference season next week (January 4th) at Marshall. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. MT in the Don Haskins Center with the championship game between Colorado St. and Jacksonville St. set to tip 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Miner game. Make sure to get out and support your team. Go Miners!!