NEW ORLEANS – Konner Tucker scored 14 points and Texas-El Paso defeated Tulane 66-57 Wednesday night in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
The Miners (7-6, 1-0), who led just 28-26 at halftime, outscored the Green Wave 38-31 in the second half. UTEP scored 18 of the first 23 points after the break to open up a 46-31 lead. Tulane (12-4, 0-1) would cut that lead to single digits with just under 4:00 left, but never got closer than five points.
Tucker's 14 points included 12 on four 3-pointers. The Miners were 6 of 13 from long range, Tulane just 3 of 14.
Overall, UTEP was 24 of 48 from the floor (50 percent) while the Green Wave hit just 20 of 60 shots (33.3 percent).
Julian Washburn chipped in 12 points for the Miners, and Jacques Streeter added 10 with six assists.
Ricky Tarrant led Tulane with 18 points.
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