DENTON, Texas -- Paul Thomas scored a career-high 23 points and Dominic Artis scored 10 of his 19 points in overtime as UTEP fended off North Texas 77-71 on Thursday night.

Thomas was fouled after he rebounded an Artis missed 3-pointer with 1:22 left in regulation and made both free throws to send the game to overtime at 65-65 as each team missed shots down the stretch.

Thomas added another free throw to give the Miners (10-15, 8-5 Conference USA) a 66-65 lead seconds into the OT, then Artis drained a 3 and a jump shot. He added two free throws after North Texas had closed to 72-70 and closed the game with two more from the line.

A.J. Lawson dunked to bring North Texas to 72-70 with 48 seconds remaining. Derail Green made seven 3-pointers for a career-high 21 for the Mean Green (7-18, 1-12), Ryan Woolridge had 15, and Lawson 12.