UTEP 65, Washington State 52: Vince Hunter had 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds and Earvin Morris added 13 points as the Miners cruised past the visiting Cougars in the season opener for both teams.

C.J. Cooper scored 11 points and Julian Washburn chipped in nine points and seven rebounds for UTEP, which never trailed and improved to 33-4 in home openers at the Haskins Center. Cedrick Lang added eight points to help spoil Ernie Kent’s debut as Washington State’s coach.

DaVonte Lacy led Washington State with 15 points and seven rebounds while Que Johnson and Ike Iroegbu added 10 points apiece. Johnson grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds and Ny Redding had eight points for the Cougars, who were outrebounded by nine and committed 22 turnovers.

Washington State trailed by 13 before Johnson highlighted a late spurt with two 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 32-26 at the break. Iroegbu’s 3-pointer pulled the Cougars to within 43-37 with 11:03 left before UTEP answered with a 12-4 run.

Morris drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Miners’ lead to 51-39 with 6:36 left and the Miners were never threatened in the final minutes. Lacy, who averaged 19.4 points last season, missed nine of his 12 shots from the field, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Matt Willms had seven points and three rebounds for UTEP, which won despite shooting 34.9 percent from the field. … Washington State F Josh Hawkinson collected seven points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots. … UTEP’s Tim Floyd improved to 8-2 all-time when coaching against Kent.