The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) men’s basketball team (11-12, 4-9 Conference USA) rallied from a second-half deficit to defeat New Mexico State University (NMSU) (9-15, 5-8 C-USA) 91-88 in overtime Saturday night in the 226th edition of the Battle of I-10 at the Don Haskins Center.
In front of one of its largest crowds of the season, UTEP used defensive stops, timely three-pointers and composure down the stretch to secure its second consecutive win in the rivalry. The Miners overcame an NMSU squad that controlled stretches of the game and forced overtime in a back-and-forth contest defined by toughness and momentum swings.
For much of the night, it appeared NMSU had control. The Aggies built momentum behind efficient scoring and rebounding, while UTEP struggled to find offensive rhythm. But the Miners responded with grit in the second half, forcing turnovers and converting in transition to claw their way back.
UTEP head coach Joe Golding credited defensive adjustments for shifting the tide.
“Stops,” Golding said when asked how his team turned it around. “We got some defensive stops. We started trapping a little bit on the ball screen. We just hadn’t had the toughness on that end of the floor to get consecutive stops, and tonight we did.”
A critical stretch came when UTEP forced multiple turnovers during a six-minute span in which NMSU failed to score. The Miners capitalized with transition opportunities and key perimeter shooting, finishing with 11 made three-pointers after a slow start.
UTEP junior guard Caleb Blackwell and junior forward Kaseem Watson delivered crucial plays down the stretch, including a momentum-shifting three-pointer late in regulation. Despite an initial call that energized the crowd before a review adjusted to the ruling, the Miners maintained composure.
“We live for moments like that,” Watson said. “We want people in the stands. Houses play better. We did this for our city. We did this for the school.”
Golding emphasized the significance of the rivalry for the program and community.
“It’s important to this city. It’s important to this university and it’s obviously important to me,” Golding said. “I’m just proud of our guys’ fight. They just never gave up.”
On the other side, NMSU head coach Jason Hooten pointed to missed opportunities and one decisive loose ball as the difference.
“If we get that ball, we win the game,” Hooten said. “It’s a loose ball. Three guys touched it. That’s what it came down to.”
Hooten acknowledged UTEP’s defensive intensity in the second half.
“I thought they started to play really well defensively and made things a little bit harder for us,” Hooten said. “We had a chance the last three minutes of regulation and we didn’t finish.”
The Aggies showed resilience in overtime, trimming a multi-possession deficit and nearly forcing another dramatic ending. Hooten remained confident in his team’s trajectory.
“At some point in time, it’s going to be our turn,” Hooten said. “When we start winning these close games, we’re going to take off.”
The atmosphere inside the Don Haskins Center reflected the magnitude of the rivalry. Fans from both sides traveled for the matchup, adding to the intensity.
Norma Grijalba, an NMSU supporter who has attended games since 1981, expressed confidence at halftime.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Grijalba said. “They need to keep getting good shots and keep the offense going.”
On the UTEP side, longtime fan Ana Rosa Murillo emphasized teamwork as key for entering the second half.
“They need to really get it together to beat the Aggies,” Murillo said. “Just focus on making more points and win the game.”
UTEP ultimately out-rebounded NMSU by seven and limited turnovers to 10, executing crucial moments while capitalizing at the free-throw line.
Golding called the contest “a great college basketball game,” describing it as “haymakers getting thrown both ways.”
For UTEP, the victory not only strengthens momentum within conference play but also reinforces pride in a rivalry that stretches across state lines.
With another conference matchup looming, the Miners will look to carry the emotional lift of the overtime win forward. As Golding noted, it was “one win” but in the Battle of I-10, it was one that resonated far beyond the final score.
Melina Holguin is a contributor and may be reached at [email protected]
