Houston comes back, beats UTEP in overtime

HOUSTON (AP) -- Jonathon Simmons scored 25 points and Houston rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat UTEP 81-76 in overtime on Saturday night. Simmons' three-point play with 34 seconds left in the extra period gave the Cougars the lead for good at 77-76. The final score was Houston's largest lead of the game. TaShawn Thomas had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (11-9, 3-4 Conference USA), and Alandise Harris had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Thomas also blocked four shots. UTEP led 38-23 late in the first half, but Houston rallied and finally went ahead 64-63 with 2:04 left, capping a 9-0 run. John Bohannon led the Miners (10-11, 3-4) with 17 points and 13 rebounds. His layup with 50 seconds left made it 66-66. Julian Washburn had 16 points and eight rebounds for UTEP.