EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by a staggering 61 free throw attempts and a dramatic collapse, UTEP outlasted Middle Tennessee 83-80 in overtime on Thursday night in a Conference USA men’s basketball game that defied pregame expectations.

The Miners, entering the contest with a 4-10 record and projected by analytics to lose 70 percent of the time, erased a 13-point second-half deficit and survived a frantic final minute of regulation before sealing the victory at the foul line in the extra period at the Don Haskins Center.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final 30 seconds of regulation with the score tied at 73. After a missed three-pointer by UTEP’s LA Hayes, Middle Tennessee’s Jahvin Carter secured the defensive rebound with 28 seconds left. The Blue Raiders, holding for the last shot, worked the ball to guard Sean Smith, who drove and converted a difficult layup with just 5.5 seconds remaining, giving Middle Tennessee a 75-73 lead.

UTEP, out of timeouts, advanced the ball quickly. Hayes drove the length of the court and found Elijah Jones on the left block. Jones, the 6-foot-8 forward from Pleasantville, New Jersey, went up for a shot and was fouled by Middle Tennessee’s Luka Jovanovic with 4.4 seconds on the clock. Jones, who finished with 20 points and three blocks, calmly sank both free throws to knot the game at 75 and force overtime.

The overtime period was a grim offensive struggle for Middle Tennessee, which managed only seven points. UTEP built a five-point cushion early in the extra frame and then relied entirely on free throws to maintain its lead. The Miners scored all 10 of their overtime points at the charity stripe, part of a 25-for-36 night from the line. Conversely, Middle Tennessee, which shot an efficient 15 of 17 on free throws in regulation, did not attempt a single one in the five-minute overtime.

The game’s outcome was heavily influenced by UTEP’s dominance on the offensive glass. The Miners grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 16 second-chance points and extending crucial possessions, particularly during their comeback. Middle Tennessee managed only five offensive boards.

The first half belonged entirely to the visiting Blue Raiders, who shot 53% from the field and built a 44-37 lead behind 16 points from Chris Loofe. UTEP struggled to find any offensive rhythm, shooting just 37% in the opening period. The Miners’ leading scorer, Kaseem Watson of Philadelphia, was held to 11 first-half points.

The script flipped after halftime. UTEP’s defense tightened, holding Middle Tennessee to 29 points on 32% shooting in the second half. Watson heated up, finishing with a game-high 23 points, while Jamal West added 16 points and three assists. The Miners slowly chipped away, finally drawing even on a Watson three-pointer with under four minutes remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

For Middle Tennessee, Smith led the way with 16 points and four assists, while Loofe finished with 16 points. Kamari Lands added 12 points. The Blue Raiders’ offense, which had been efficient for a half, posted an offensive rating of 112.6 for the game, but it was overshadowed by UTEP’s 115.1 rating, fueled by their volume of free throws and second chances.

The loss drops Middle Tennessee to 9-6 overall and 1-1 in Conference USA play, while UTEP improves to 5-10 and 1-1. The combined score of 163 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 136.5, a testament to the unexpectedly prolific scoring, especially in the first half.

Middle Tennessee will look to rebound quickly, traveling to face New Mexico State on Saturday. UTEP, meanwhile, will host Western Kentucky on Saturday, aiming to build on a resilient victory that saw them overcome significant statistical and prognosticative odds.