UTEP forward Victor Ramalho (50) blocks out Tulsa forward Calvin Walls (4) in the lane in the first half of the Conference USA men’s basketball tournament semifinal at the FedEx Forum, in Memphis, Tenn., Friday, March 14, 2008. Tulsa won 64-62 in overtime. (AP photo)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UTEP had two problems. One, the Miners were playing uphill all evening. Two, no matter which way they went, there was a lid on their bucket.
Not really, of course. But it seemed so.
UTEP led 2-0 and then began looking uphill as Tulsa tore away to a 14-2 lead. The Miners played catchup the rest of the way, trailing 33-21 at the intermission, trailing 41-30 with 15 minutes to play, trailing 44-37 with 10 minutes to go.
But the Miners continued to chase, always chasing and climbing and despite never getting another lead, despite shooting percentages from the Arctic, they got into overtime.
In the end, though, it was too much … simply too much.
Tulsa played hard, played well, fought off last-minute nerves and survived in this month of survival, edging UTEP 64-62 in overtime Friday night in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament at the FedExForum. Tulsa now will play Memphis this morning on CBS for the tournament championship, for the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

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