EL PASO, Texas – Jax State outscored UTEP 9-0 in the final 2:22 of the game for a 73-66 win over the Miners on Thursday in El Paso. Michael Houge led the way for Jax State with 20 points, helping lift the Gamecocks to their third consecutive victory.

Jax State improves to 12-7 (4-2 CUSA) on the season while the Miners fall to 14-5 (4-2 CUSA). Jax State is now tied for second place in Conference USA.

UTEP knocked down 44 percent of its first half three-point attempts while holding the Gamecocks to a 27 percent first half mark to take a 31-30 advantage into the halftime break. UTEP entered the contest 13-1 when leading its opponent at halftime.

The Gamecocks and the Miners traded the lead for a majority of the second half until the final two minutes of the contest when Jaron Pierre Jr. launched a three-pointer that gave Jax State a lead with 2:22 to go in the game.

Following a defensive stop, Houge grabbed an offensive rebound and put back a dunk to extend the Gamecock lead to 69-66. Jax State would knock down four free throws down the stretch, building a final score of 73-66.

Jax State trailed by as many as eight points in the second half.

Jax State dominated the glass, out rebounding the Miners 42-25, including a 31-19 margin in the defensive rebound category.

Houge's 20 points is just one point shy of his career high, set in this season's opener against LaGrange College in Jacksonville. Houge added eight rebounds

Pierre and Quel'Ron House each finished in double figures, both pouring on 14 points. House has now scored in double figures for the third time in his last five games after only accomplishing the feat once in his first seven games.

Mason Nicholson led the team with nine rebounds to go along with eight points. Five Gamecocks finished with five or more rebounds on the night. Pierre led Jax State with six assists, while House tallied five of his own.

Jax State improves to a 2-2 mark in road CUSA games this season.