UTEP had the right game plan on defense and a chance to win on the final possession of its game against Kent State on Thursday night. But Golden Flashes post Miryne Thomas blocked Shamar Givance's shot in the paint at the buzzer to give Kent State a 47-46 win in the championship game of the 61st Annual Don Haskins WestStar Sun Bowl Invitational.
Kent State improves to 10-3 on the season and UTEP is 8-4 and suffered its first loss at home in nine games. Kent State won the Sun Bowl tournament for the second time in program history.