Hunter scores 16 to lead UTEP past Alcorn St, 78-45

EL PASO, Texas (AP) Vince Hunter scored 16 points and had three steals to help UTEP beat Alcorn State 78-45 in the Sun Bowl tournament on Sunday night.

Cedrick Lang added 13 points and Omega Harris scored 10 for UTEP (7-4).

The Miners scored the first eight points of the game and a pair of free throws by Harris gave them a 17-3 lead with 13 minutes left in the half.

After a 3-pointer by Alcorn State's Reginald Johnson made it 23-9 about 3 minutes later, Julian Washburn hit a 3 and Hunter made a layup before a 3-pointer by Lew Stallworth pushed the UTEP lead to 31-9. The Braves trailed by at least 20 the rest of the way.

The Miners committed a season-low five turnovers while forcing 19 by Alcorn State.

Johnson and Marquis Vance led Alcorn State (1-9), which shot just 32 percent from the field, with 12 points apiece.