It took one play.

Within the course of his three minutes of playing time, Deon Stroud's Haskins Center-rocking dunk exemplified who the Miners are so far -- a collection of high-level talented individuals molding themselves into teammates.

As fellow budding star Anthony Tarke sat out to continue the healing process, a 91.9-percent performance from free throw (34/37) helped put UTEP over a newly Doc Sadler-less USM 78-64.

Souley Boum played off the bench and led all players in scoring with 26 (14/14 from free throw), While Bryson Williams (9 rebounds) channeled Omar Thomas with 20 points (10/10 from free throw). Eric Vila played tall at center, grabbing 11 rebounds (6 points) and minimizing possible passing lanes. Nigel Hawkins led the Miners with 4 assists.

After Daryl Edwards started the game with some 3-point poetry in motion 30 seconds in, the Golden Eagles scored the next seven points to take a 4-point lead at 17:25.

UTEP's response was to outscore USM 10-2 through the next 5:18 that put the Miners up by four (13-9) as the clock read 12:07.

The score fluctuated between a 5-point UTEP advantage and a tie into the second half, then with 19:09 in the second, USM took its first lead (34-32) since 5:01 after tip-off.

Through the ensuing 11:40, the teams exchanged the lead seven times and tied six times.

With 7:29 to play, the Miners took a 1-point lead (53-52) that began one of many advantages they held onto for the rest of play.

As UTEP out-competed USM till the end, the Miners lead grew to double digits at 4:29 (63-53) then a game-high of 12 at 0:30 (74-62) and 0:18 (final) as the Golden Eagles desperately fouled.