Hattiesburg, MS (Sports Network) - Jerrold Brooks scored 13 points for the Golden Eagles as Southern Miss took down the Texas-El Paso Miners, 45-39, in a Conference USA tilt at Reed Green Coliseum.

Neil Watson chipped in 11 points while Daveon Boardingham posted eight points and the same number of rebounds for USM (21-6, 10-2 C-USA). The victory was the third in a row for the Golden Eagles.

McKenzie Moore registered a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for UTEP (14-11, 7-5) as it lost for the third time in four games.

The Miners took a 22-16 lead into halftime after they knocked down 40.9 percent of their field goal attempts in the first period. USM drained only 30.4 percent of its shots from the floor and did not attempt a single free- throw in the opening 20 minutes.

The Golden Eagles controlled the second stanza as they shot 36 percent from the field and limited the visitors to only six makes on 28 attempted field goals. USM also held an 8-2 advantage in free-throw line scoring in the second half to power the win.

UTEP finished 4-of-26 from beyond the arc in the contest while USM held a 36-33 edge in the rebounding battle.

GAME NOTES:

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