MURRAY, Ky. (AP) -- Jarvis Williams had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Murray State beat Texas-El Paso 81-66 on Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT.
Murray State (28-5), excluded from the 68-team NCAA Tournament field after losing in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship, made its eighth appearance in the NIT -- its first since 2011.
T.J. Sapp added 21 points for Murray State and Jonathan Fairell grabbed 10 rebounds. Cameron Payne neared a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Racers won their 15th game in a row at home.
The Miners (22-11) were trying to win an opening round game for the seventh time and first since 2006. They shot 8 of 27 (29.6 percent) from the field in the second half.
C.J. Cooper led UTEP with 16 points, while Vince Hunter added 11, and Earvin Morris and Omega Harris finished with 10 each.
