Elmore scores 22 to help Marshall past UTEP 74-65

Feb 4, 2018, 04:17 am

EL PASO, Texas -- Jon Elmore scored 22 points with seven rebounds and five assists, and Marshall maintained safe distance down the stretch to beat UTEP 74-65 on Saturday night.

C.J. Burks' 3-pointer started an early 10-0 Marshall run and the Thundering Herd went up 19-10 with 9:48 before halftime. Evan Gilyard had a 3-point play for UTEP before Marshall established a 6-0 spurt and led by 10. Marshall's last three baskets of the half on 3s from Elmore, Jarrod West and Burks made it 34-24 at halftime.

The Miners closed to 36-31 within the first two minutes of the second half before Ajdin Penava made a 3 and Burks made 1 of 2 foul shots. Omega Harris' layup pulled the Miners within three points, and with 4:04 left, Gilyard shaved UTEP's deficit to 61-59, but the Miners never got closer.

Burks scored 16 points and Penava contributed 15 points and seven boards for the Thundering Herd (15-8, 6-4 Conference USA).

Gilyard led UTEP (7-16, 2-9) with 20 points.