HOUSTON (AP) -- Omar Thomas scored 28 points as UTEP survived two last-second shots to beat Rice 73-71 on Saturday night.
Rice almost recaptured the lead with two seconds left but Jason McKrieth's 3-point attempt rimmed out. Teammate J.R. Harrison grabbed the rebound but his jumper also missed.
UTEP (18-5, 8-3 Western Athletic Conference) took the lead with 2:20 left on two Thomas free throws. Thomas shot 7-of-11 from the floor and was 14-of-14 from the foul line.
John Tofi added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Miners.
Rice (11-8, 6-5) was led by Morris Almond's 17 points. McKrieth scored 15 points for the Owls, who were handed just their second home loss in 12 games this season.
The win kept the Miners one game behind first-place Nevada in the WAC standings.
