NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a frantic final minute and a decisive defensive stand, the UTEP Miners escaped the Bob Carpenter Center with a narrow 70-69 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens in a non-conference men’s basketball game on Thursday night.

The contest, a defensive struggle that saw both teams post nearly identical offensive ratings on an identical 63 possessions, was ultimately decided in the closing seconds. UTEP, which improved to 6-11, survived despite a game-high 21 points from Delaware’s Macon Emory. Delaware fell to 5-12.

The Blue Hens, who led 36-30 at halftime behind efficient three-point shooting, saw their advantage evaporate in the second half as UTEP’s interior presence took over. The Miners’ frontcourt duo of Jamal West and Kaseem Watson proved pivotal. West, a 6-foot-6 forward from Baltimore, finished with 16 points and was a force defensively with two blocks, while the 6-foot-9 Watson, from Philadelphia, led UTEP with 20 points.

Delaware’s Tyler Houser, a 6-foot-9 forward from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, kept the Blue Hens in contention late, scoring 18 points, including two critical free throws with one second remaining to pull Delaware within a single point.

The most crucial sequence unfolded in the final minute. With UTEP clinging to a 67-66 lead, Kaseem Watson drove for a layup and was fouled by Emory with 55 seconds left. Watson completed the three-point play, giving the Miners a four-point cushion.

On the ensuing possession, Delaware’s Christian Bliss was fouled and made the first of two free throws. After missing the second, UTEP secured the defensive rebound but immediately turned the ball over. Bliss capitalized with a driving layup to cut the deficit to 70-69 with 25 seconds left.

UTEP then ran the clock down before Jamal West’s driving attempt was off the mark. Delaware’s Tyler Houser secured the rebound and called timeout with 1.1 seconds on the clock. The inbounds play found Houser near the sideline, and he was fouled by West just before the buzzer sounded, sending him to the line for two shots with the game in the balance.

With the crowd of 2,113 silenced, Houser calmly sank the first free throw. His second attempt, however, rimmed out, and UTEP’ Elijah Jones secured the rebound as time expired, sealing the one-point road victory for the Miners.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasts. Delaware’s offense flowed from the perimeter, where they shot 10 for 22 from three-point range, led by Emory and Justyn Fernandez, who added 15 points. UTEP countered with interior efficiency, shooting 46.7% on two-point field goals and dominating points in the paint. The Miners also protected the ball exceptionally well, committing only four turnovers while forcing eight from Delaware, which translated into a 12-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

Caleb Blackwell added 15 points for UTEP, including three three-pointers, and KJ Thomas chipped in nine points. For Delaware, Christian Bliss of Queens, New York, orchestrated the offense with six assists to go with 10 points.

The win provides a positive start to a challenging road stretch for UTEP, which travels to face Liberty on Saturday. Delaware, which was projected as a slight favorite pregame, looks to rebound at home against New Mexico State, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in El Paso on Jan. 31.