Newly ranked UTEP (that would be the University of Texas-El Paso) just barely avoided the WHB curse: the Miners-- now 22-2 and undefeated within Conference USA-- trailed Southern Mississippi at the half, raced back from nine points down with two minutes to play, then edged the Eagles by one point in overtime.

"We're thrilled," said coach Adams. Southern Miss-- near .500 overall-- had lost just one earlier game at home. Kasia Krezel-- who had scored no points in the Miners' last two outings-- led everybody with 21.

With the tough win, UTEP preserve the nation's second-longest winning streak, and secure the top seed in C-USA's tourney.

Will they have to win that tourney to reach the Big Dance? You decide: their best nonconference win appears to be New Mexico.