In a shocking turn of events, Texas at El Paso (UTEP) took down Delaware by a convincing 15-point margin, 70-55, at the Don Haskins Center. This upset victory is all the more remarkable considering the pre-game predictions, which had UTEP winning by a slim 2.4 points. Instead, the Miners dominated the Blue Hens, defying expectations and making a statement in the process.
Elijah Jones was the star of the show for UTEP, posting an impressive 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead his team to victory. His double-double was a key factor in the Miners' success, as they outmuscled Delaware on the glass and controlled the tempo of the game. Jamal West Jr. and Caleb Blackwell also made significant contributions, scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively, to help UTEP build a formidable lead.
On the other side, Christian Bliss was the lone bright spot for Delaware, scoring 17 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in a losing effort. Tyler Houser added 15 points and 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blue Hens' struggles on defense. Despite being predicted to lose by just 2.4 points, Delaware found themselves trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, a deficit they were unable to overcome.
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The game unfolded with UTEP taking a narrow 27-25 lead into halftime, but they came out strong in the second half, outscoring Delaware 43-30 to seal the win. The Miners' defense was stifling, holding the Blue Hens to just 36% shooting from the field and forcing 14 turnovers. UTEP, on the other hand, shot a respectable 44% from the field and controlled the boards, outrebounding Delaware 43-36.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had UTEP winning by 2.4 points, but the actual margin of victory was a staggering 15 points. While the prediction was correct in terms of the winner, it vastly underestimated the dominance UTEP would display on the court.
This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' resumes. For UTEP, the win is a Quad 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in the eyes of the selection committee. However, it is a much-needed win for a team that has struggled to find consistency this season. For Delaware, the loss is also a Quad 4 defeat, which will do little to enhance their tournament chances. With a current NET ranking of 288, the Blue Hens must string together some impressive wins to get back into the conversation. As for UTEP, their NET ranking of 291 will likely see a slight bump, but they still have a long way to go to become a serious tournament contender.