Lamar scored 13 straight points to open the game, led by 20 points at halftime, and beat UTEP for the first time in four tries as Tim Floyd’s dumpster fire continues to burn a nasty stench in an empty Don Haskins Center.
The Miners shot 32 percent from the field, including nine missed layups and shot 2-for-14 from 3-point land in the second half.
Four Cardinals scored in double figures, and while they struggled from the floor to close out the game, Lamar was in control from the opening tip.
Lamar’s first three buckets were 3-pointers, as they led 13-0 in the first 2:55 in the game, and out scored UTEP 32-25 from there to take a 45-25 lead into the halftime break.
Trey Wade was the only Miner to reach double figures with 13 points in his return to the lineup after missing the NMSU game with an injury.
UTEP won the rebounding battle 42-41, but at one point in the first half Lamar was plus-8 on the boards as they took their foot off the gas in the final eight minutes or so.
The Miners remain win less against D-1 opponents this season, with NMSU and UNM coming into town later this week.
UTEP is now 3-20 against D-1 opponents since starting the 2015-16 season 6-0.