Caracter slams in winner, No. 24 UTEP edges UAB

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Derrick Caracter scored the final six points for UTEP, including a game-winning dunk with 1 second left that gave the 24th-ranked Miners a 52-50 victory over UAB on Saturday night.

Myron Strong scored 15 points and Caracter had 13 for UTEP (24-5, 15-1 Conference USA), which rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half.

The Miners held the Blazers (23-7, 11-5) to one field goal in a span of 10:47 while whittling away at the lead. Caracter's two free throws tied it at 48 with 2:46 remaining, and his layup put UTEP ahead 50-48 with 43 seconds to go.

After Aaron Johnson's jumper tied it with 6 seconds left, the Miners called timeout. Julyan Stone then passed to Caracter for the winning dunk.

Johnson led the Blazers with 16 points and five assists. Elijah Millsap added 12 points and 14 rebounds.

UTEP had already wrapped up the Conference USA regular-season championship and will be the top seed in the league tournament.

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