JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — William & Mary used a dominant first half to build a commanding lead and then withstood a second-half surge from UTEP to secure a 74-63 victory in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Tribe set the tone early, racing out to a 35-23 halftime advantage. The Miners, unable to find their offensive rhythm before the break, came alive after halftime, outscoring William & Mary 40-39 in the second period. However, the early deficit proved too large to overcome as William & Mary improved to 5-2 on the season. UTEP fell to an even 3-3.

Reese Miller and Kyle Pulliam led the offensive charge for William & Mary, each scoring 16 points. Miller, a guard from Round Rock, Texas, added three rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes, while Pulliam, from Silver Spring, Maryland, contributed five rebounds.

UTEP’s offense was more balanced, with four players scoring in double figures. Caleb Blackwell led the way with 13 points, followed by Cassius Brooks with 11. Elijah Jones and Jamal West added 10 and nine points, respectively, with Jones and West each pulling down five rebounds.

The game was ultimately decided by William & Mary’s efficiency in capitalizing on mistakes. The Tribe scored 21 points off UTEP turnovers, compared to the Miners’ 15 points off William & Mary giveaways. Both teams were even with 32 points in the paint, but William & Mary also held an 8-5 edge in fastbreak points.

The announced attendance was 246.

William & Mary is scheduled to face Abilene Christian on Tuesday, also in Jacksonville. UTEP will also remain in Jacksonville for its next contest, taking on UAB on Tuesday.