El Paso, TX -- (Sports Network) - Randy Culpepper poured in 35 points to lead the UTEP Miners to a convincing, 96-79 victory over the Georgia Southern Eagles in a non-league battle at the Don Haskins Center.

Stefon Jackson also had a strong showing for UTEP (2-0), as the guard scored 26 points to go along with seven rebounds. Kareem Cooper added 14 points in the win.

Antonio Hanson netted 17 points for Georgia Southern (2-2), while Sandy Perry and Julian Allen both contributed 15 points apiece. Ben Drayton tallied 11 points in the loss, while Willie Powers chipped in 10 points.

The Eagles shot 55.2 percent from the field in the first half, and that included a 6-of-12 showing from long range. The strong offense performance gave Georgia Southern a slim 41-39 lead at the break.

However, the Miners fought back in the second stanza, shooting 51.4 percent from the field en route to the 17-point win.

The Miners connected on 27-of-37 attempts from the foul line, while Georgia Southern made just 11-of-17 shots from the charity stripe.