EL PASO, Texas --  Cameron led early and hung around for the majority of the first half but would ultimately fall to UTEP 77-59 on Friday in exhibition action. 

Andrew Thomas led Cameron with 13 points, on 6-10 shooting from the field.  Craig Foster added 11 points, six assists, and five steals while Tim Johnson and Aaron Thompson both chipped in seven points apiece for CU.

Cameron traded early points with UTEP and jumped out in front after a three pointer from Foster giving CU a 8-7 lead at the 14:21 mark.  The Miners would take advantage of Aggie miscues and would leave with a 34-21 lead at the half.

In the second half UTEP opened with a 6-2 run to extend their lead to 16 points.  Both teams would trade points back and forth before a 7-2 run by the Miners to give them a 67-44 advantage over the Aggies with 6:35 remaining.

Cameron would trim off of the UTEP lead but they would not closer than 17 points in the final minutes. 

The Aggies shot just 23 percent in the first half but ended the game 36 percent (22-62) after going 15-of-32 in the second half.  UTEP hit 59 percent from the field and were just 4-of-13 from 3-point range. Cameron got out rebounded 37 to 30 but committed only nine turnovers got nine steals off of the Miners compared to 12 turnovers and five steals.  

Cameron will return home to the Aggie Gym on Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. to reopen Lone Star Conference action with Angelo State.