EL PASO, Texas – Michael Osei-Bonsu scored 17 points, including a clutch layup with 12.3 seconds remaining to help secure a 62-57 Missouri State road win over UTEP here Saturday in Conference USA action.
 
Kobi Williams also logged a game-high 21 points to help the Bears (12-8, 6-3 CUSA) behind four 3-pointers.  

With the win, the Bears improved to 3-3 in CUSA road games and return home Wednesday where they are unbeaten (3-0) in league play.
 
The Bears trailed UTEP by as many as 11 in the first half and fell behind 31-21 at the intermission, but outscored the Miners 41-26 in the second half, holding the home club to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field over the last 20 minutes.
 
Antwan Burnett's two free throws with nine minutes left gave the Bears a 44-43 lead, their first advantage since they led 8-5 in the opening four minutes.
 
Trey Williams Jr. later gave the Bears some cushion with his first bucket of the night from 3-point range, and then extended the MSU lead to 51-46 with a close-range bucket moments later.
 
Keith Palek III made two free throws with 3:03 to go to give Missouri State a double-figure lead, 57-54, but the Miners then embarked on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to make it a two-point game.
 
Elijah Jones' two free throws with 42 seconds remaining drew UTEP within 58-57, but Osei-Bonsu was up to the task, getting a close-range bucket to save the day with just over 12 seconds to go.
 
The Bears finished 20-for-45 (.444) from the field, 5-for-18 (.278) from long range, and 17-for-23 (.739) at the line with a 36-26 rebounding advantage, 10 assists and 15 turnovers.
 
UTEP (7-13, 3-6) was led by Jones' 16 points. They made 19-of-50 field goals attempts (.380), 8-for-19 (.421) from distance – including four by Jones. The Miners were also 11-of-15 (.733) at the line with 12 assists and 8 steals.
 
The Bears converted just seven field goals in the first half, while UTEP rolled up runs of 9-0 and 10-0 to lead by as many as 11.
 
Osei-Bonsu scored 9 points and snagged 6 rebounds for the visitors in the opening 20 minutes to keep them in the hunt, but the Miners buried five threes and delivered 8 assists for their 13 made shots to lead 31-21 at the midway point.
 
The Bears were 7-for-25 (.280) from the field in the first half.
 
Cuonzo Martin's Bears make their long-awaited return to Great Southern Bank Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 28 vs. Sam Houston (7 p.m.) with a special halftime performance by the Master of Simon Sez Steve Max. The Jan. 28 game is also Faith and Family Night.
 
Tickets for the Sam Houston game, and all remaining home games, are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or through the MSU Athletics Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during regular office hours.
 
A complete list of season promotions and ticket specials is also available at MissouriStateBears.com/promotions.