EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — The Liberty Flames, one of the nation’s most efficient teams, methodically extended their winning streak Saturday afternoon, using a decisive first-half surge to defeat the UTEP Miners 73 to 64 in a Conference USA men’s basketball game at Don Haskins Center.

In a contest defined by defensive pressure and opportunistic scoring, Liberty improved its season record to 22-3 overall, while UTEP fell to 10-16. A crowd of 3,914 watched as the Flames executed their system with precision, particularly during a critical stretch late in the opening half that ultimately decided the game.

The most important sequence occurred in the final 90 seconds of the first period. Leading by just four points, Liberty unleashed a 9-0 run to transform a competitive game into a commanding 37-26 halftime advantage. The burst was ignited by guard Brett Decker, who sank a three-pointer off an assist from Kaden Metheny with 2:25 remaining. After a UTEP miss, JJ Harper converted a driving layup. Following a Miner turnover forced by Colin Porter, Decker struck again from beyond the arc, this time with 1:11 on the clock, pushing the lead to 35-26. Harper capped the run with another layup in the closing seconds, assisted by Zach Cleveland, sending the Flames into the locker room with firm control.

Liberty’s victory was built on its trademark offensive efficiency and disruptive defense. The Flames scored 73 points on 63 possessions, an offensive rating of 116.7, and forced UTEP into 11 turnovers while committing only seven themselves. That edge translated to a 13-10 advantage in points off turnovers and a more significant 11-4 margin in fastbreak points. The Flames also out-assisted the Miners 7 to 4 and recorded seven steals.

Harper, a 6-foot-5 guard from Orlando, Florida, led all scorers with 18 points, adding six rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes of action. His performance continued a strong stretch, coming off a 19-point outing in a win at New Mexico State earlier in the week. Cleveland, a 6-foot-7 forward from Bloomington, Illinois, provided a versatile stat line of 13 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists. Decker contributed 17 points, with 11 coming in the first half, while Metheny directed the offense with seven assists.

UTEP was led by Elijah Jones, a 6-foot-8 forward from Pleasantville, New Jersey, who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Kaseem Watson added 10 points and seven rebounds, and KJ Thomas scored 14 points. The Miners shot a respectable 48 percent from the field but were hampered by their ball security and an inability to contain Liberty’s half-closing run.

The second half saw UTEP attempt multiple rallies, cutting the deficit to single digits on several occasions. A three-pointer by Caleb Blackwell brought the Miners within 51-43 with 8:07 remaining, and a Watson triple made it 64-57 at the 1:42 mark. Each time, however, Liberty had an answer, often through Harper or Cleveland in the paint, where the Flames held a 32-28 scoring edge. UTEP never got closer than seven points in the final minutes as Liberty closed the game at the free-throw line.

Liberty, which entered the game as a 6.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, has now won four consecutive games and 10 of its last 11. The Flames’ next game is at home against Florida International on Thursday. UTEP, which had its two-game win streak snapped, travels to face rival New Mexico State next Saturday.

The game’s total points, 137, finished just under the pregame over/under line of 138.5. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Liberty was projected with an 87.6 percent probability to win, a forecast borne out by their disciplined performance on both ends of the floor.