EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by missed opportunities at the free throw line and a frantic final sequence, Norfolk State escaped the Don Haskins Center with a 72-71 victory over UTEP on Sunday, snapping a two-game skid and handing the Miners a heartbreaking non-conference loss.

The Spartans, who led by as many as 15 points in the first half and took a 42-32 advantage into the break, watched their cushion evaporate under a second-half onslaught from UTEP guard Caleb Blackwell. The Miners, fueled by a 14-2 run, seized a 58-56 lead with just over seven minutes to play, setting the stage for a tense finish.

Norfolk State reclaimed a narrow edge in the closing minutes, but the game was ultimately decided at the charity stripe. UTEP, which shot a dismal 12 of 27 from the free throw line for the game, missed critical attempts down the stretch. Meanwhile, Norfolk State, despite its own struggles at 19 of 30, made just enough to stay ahead.

The most crucial sequence unfolded in the final 20 seconds. With Norfolk State clinging to a 68-66 lead, UTEP’s Jamal West missed two free throws that would have tied the game. The Spartans’ Anthony McComb was fouled on the ensuing possession and hit both free throws with 19 seconds left, pushing the lead to 70-66.

After a UTEP timeout, the Miners’ Kaseem Watson buried a deep 3-pointer with one second remaining off an assist from Blackwell, slicing the deficit to 70-69. McComb was immediately fouled again and returned to the line. He missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second, making it 71-69.

UTEP, with no timeouts remaining, advanced the ball and found Blackwell, whose driving layup at the horn tied the game at 71-71, sending the crowd of 3,525 into a momentary frenzy. However, after a review, officials ruled that Blackwell’s foot was on the out-of-bounds line before he released the shot, waiving off the basket and securing the one-point win for Norfolk State.

McComb, a guard from Dayton, Ohio, led all scorers with 21 points for Norfolk State, including several key baskets to stem UTEP rallies. Elijah Jamison added 12 points off the bench for the Spartans, who improved to 6-8.

Blackwell was the catalyst for UTEP, finishing with 18 points and seven assists. His backcourt partner, Kaseem Watson of Philadelphia, contributed 17 points and four assists, while Jamal West had 16 points and Elijah Jones added 10. The Miners fell to 3-7 with the loss.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasts. UTEP won several key categories, shooting a better percentage from the field (47.3% to 45.1%), grabbing 14 offensive rebounds to Norfolk State’s eight, and recording 10 assists and 10 steals. However, their catastrophic performance at the free throw line, combined with 14 turnovers, negated those advantages.

Norfolk State, which committed an equal number of turnovers, relied on timely 3-point shooting, hitting 7 of 20 from beyond the arc compared to UTEP’s 7 of 24. The Spartans also managed to score 72 points on 71 possessions, an efficient offensive rating of 101.1, despite the sloppy ball-handling.

The victory gives Norfolk State momentum as it prepares to face UC Irvine on Monday in a neutral-site contest in El Paso. UTEP, which was a 7.5-point pregame favorite according to sportsbooks, must regroup before opening Conference USA play on the road at Louisiana Tech next Monday. The total score of 143 points went well over the pregame over/under line of 131.5.