LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The Liberty Flames used a dominant interior performance and a stifling defensive effort to pull away from the UTEP Miners for an 80-69 victory in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Vines Center.

A crowd of 3,082 watched Liberty improve to 15-3 overall and remain near the top of the conference standings, while UTEP fell to 6-12.

The most important part of the game was Liberty’s overwhelming control of the paint and its ability to capitalize on UTEP’s mistakes. The Flames outscored the Miners 46-22 in the paint and turned 12 UTEP turnovers into 19 points, while committing only six turnovers themselves. This efficiency, coupled with a significant rebounding advantage, allowed Liberty to build a steady lead in the first half and withstand every UTEP push in the second.

Liberty set the tone early with its physicality. Zach Cleveland, the Flames’ 6-foot-7 forward from Bloomington, Illinois, recorded two blocks in the game’s first two minutes, swatting UTEP’s Jamal West and Caleb Blackwell at the rim. This defensive presence fueled Liberty’s offense, which scored its first 10 points on layups, establishing the inside game that would define the night.

UTEP, led by Elijah Jones’ 21 points, stayed close for much of the first half by shooting effectively from the perimeter. The Miners hit 11 of 23 three-point attempts in the game. A late flurry by Caleb Blackwell, who hit three three-pointers in the final 3:01 of the half, kept UTEP within striking distance at 41-38 going into the break.

However, Liberty’s offensive execution and defensive pressure proved too much to overcome. The Flames shot 59.3% from the field for the game, consistently finding high-percentage shots near the basket. Cleveland was the catalyst, finishing with 20 points, four assists and four blocks, impacting the game on both ends. He was supported by a balanced attack featuring Brett Decker with 20 points and Colin Porter with 15.

Every time UTEP threatened in the second half, Liberty had an answer. When Blackwell’s three-pointer cut the Liberty lead to 49-47 with 16:08 remaining, the Flames responded with a 6-0 run, capped by a Porter layup. Later, after a Trey Horton three-pointer brought UTEP within 68-66 with 8:42 left, Liberty delivered the decisive blow.

Over the next four minutes, the Flames unleashed a 10-2 run. It started with a Kaden Metheny steal and layup, included a Porter three-pointer, and was punctuated by Cleveland’s playmaking. He found Josh Smith for a layup and then scored on a drive of his own, pushing the lead to 78-68 with 5:12 to play. UTEP never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Liberty’s defensive discipline was key. The Flames limited UTEP to just four assists for the entire game, disrupting offensive flow and forcing the Miners into contested jump shots. UTEP’s backcourt of Blackwell and KJ Thomas combined for 11 of the team’s 12 turnovers. Liberty also outrebounded UTEP decisively, particularly on the defensive glass, limiting the Miners to just four offensive rebounds.

Blackwell led UTEP with 20 points and seven assists, but his six turnovers were costly. Jones added 21 points and two blocks, and Kaseem Watson scored 12. The Miners shot a respectable 54.9% from the field but were hampered by their ball security and an inability to get consistent stops.

Liberty, which entered the game as a 13.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, covered the spread. The total points scored, 149, went over the projected total of 137.5. National statistical services gave Liberty a 95.6% probability to win before tip-off.

The victory extends Liberty’s winning streak and solidifies its position as a conference contender. The Flames travel to face Western Kentucky on Wednesday. UTEP, seeking consistency, returns home to host Florida International on Thursday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in El Paso on Feb. 14.