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UTEP started strong, started even stronger to open the second half, and had no problems shutting down FAU in a 75-47 whipping Saturday afternoon in the Don.
Jenzel Nash was an efficient 6-of-9 from the field, scoring 16 points, and hauling in six rebounds. Sparkle Taylor scored 12 points, and Starr Breedlove added 10 points, seven steals, and four assists.
UTEP led by as much as 32-points in the fourth quarter, shooting 40 percent from the field in the game to improve to 21-2 overall, and a 12-1 Conference USA record.
The Miners would race out to a quick 12-2 lead in the opening minutes, but FAU would answer with six straight closing the gap to 12-8 at the halfway point of the first quarter.
Sparkle Taylor would hit a pair of free throws with 58 seconds left in the quarter to put UTEP inside the 20-point plateau in the opening quarter to take a 22-17 after the first ten minutes.
In the second quarter, FAU coughed up the ball eight times, and Starr Breedlove finished the half with seven steals as UTEP was able to build a double-digit lead right before halftime.
The Owls hung tough early in the quarter and trailed 26-21 with 4:30 left until halftime. But FAU would finish the half 2-of-10 from the field helping UTEP end the half on a 12-4 run in the final 3:33 to grab a 39-25 lead at the half.
FAU was 1-of-12 from behind the three point line in the first half while UTEP shot 14-of-18 from the free throw line in the opening half led by Taylor who was 6-of-6 from the line.
It would take the Owls more than six minutes to score in the the second half, while UTEP stretched their lead to 54-28 at the 2:29 mark of the third quarter after FAU's first field goal of the second half.
For the second straight game, UTEP dominated the boards with a 45-36 margin, they also cashed in a season high 33 points off turnovers and never trailed.
UTEP has a chance to possibly lock in a top-50 RPI heading into the conference tournament with a sweep or split next weekend as UTEP hits the road to face Southern foes Southern Miss. and LA Tech next weekend.