LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- John Roberson's 18 points, five rebounds and four assists Sunday led No. 24 Texas Tech to an 86-78 win over Texas-El Paso.
Tech led the pesky Miners 35-28 at the half and escaped an upset when reserve guard David Tairu scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half.
Tairu buried three 3-pointers during one stretch after UTEP had taken a 59-53 lead with 8:31 remaining.
Mike Singletary scored 16 with nine rebounds, while D'Walyn Roberts added 15 points for the Red Raiders (12-2), who have won three of four.
Louisville transfer Derrick Caracter led Texas-El Paso with 21 points and six rebounds.
Randy Culpepper scored 17, Arnett Moultrie 15, while Julyan Stone added 12 points, three rebounds and four assists for the Miners (9-3), who have lost 12 straight games to Top 25 teams.
They committed 12 turnovers to 15 for the Red Raiders.
