UTEP advances in C-USA tourney, beats FIU 83-71

Mar 12, 2015, 05:43 pm

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Julian Washburn led five players in double figures with 19 points and second-seeded UTEP advanced past tenth-seeded Florida International 83-71 in the Conference USA tournament on Thursday.

UTEP (22-9) will face sixth-seeded Middle Tennessee, which knocked off No. 3 seed Old Dominion 59-52 on Thursday, in the semifinals on Friday.

Vince Hunter had 16 points, Omega Harris was 5 of 5 with three 3-pointers for 15 points, Earvin Morris scored 14 and Cedrick Lang added 12 points and eight rebounds. UTEP shot 61 percent and made 8 of 12 3-point attempts.

UTEP got back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the first half from Morris and Washburn to go up by eight, and then scored the final six points of the half to lead 47-33 at the break.

The Miners' lead reached 20 early in the second half after a 12-5 run.

Florida International (16-17) was led by Dennis Mavin with 20 points. Adrian Diaz added 13 points and five steals.