James Jones’ team is growing up quickly before his eyes – both out of skill and necessity.
With leading scorer and senior guard John Poulakidas still sidelined with a foot injury, senior guard Yassine Gharram off the team and junior forward Casey Simmons injured, the Bulldogs staged a ferocious second-half rally and fell narrowly to UTEP in the final of the Sun Bowl Invitational Saturday, 75-74.
The game was played at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas.
UTEP (9-3) and Yale (6-6) exchanged early baskets before the Miners grabbed a 45-33 halftime lead, making eight of nine three-pointers. The Bulldogs had 13 first-half turnovers, but frosh guard Riley Fox kept them in the game with 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting, including 3-for-4 from long range. Fox was the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year last season.
Fox finished with a career-high 19 points.
A layup by senior guard Bez Mbeng cut the deficit to 50-45 after a 12-5 Yale run.
Sophomore guard Devin Arlington brought Yale within one (66-65) with consecutive treys.
Bez Mbeng inbounded the ball to sophomore guard Trevor Mullin, but he couldn’t get a shot off at the buzzer.
“Proud of our team,” Jones said. “Tough, gritty performance – had our chances but just couldn’t close.”
Freshman guard Isaac Celiscar continued his hot play with 13 points.
UTEP senior forward Otis Frazier III scored 15 points and was named the invitational MVP.
Yale is next in action on New Year’s Day at John J. Lee Amphitheater against Howard at 1 p.m.