El Paso, Texas – Not even a career night from Ray Gallegos could help Nebraska overcome a sluggish offensive start, as the Huskers fell to UTEP, 68-52, in the championship game of the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational Sunday evening.

Gallegos finished with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting to lead all scorers, but Nebraska dug too deep of hole in the opening half minutes against the Miners, who improved to 6-5 on the season and snapped Nebraska’s two-game win streak.

One night after scoring the first 10 points against Central Michigan, Nebraska missed its first seven shots and had three turnovers in the first 10 possessions, allowing UTEP to get off to a quick start. The Miners hit five of their first seven field goal attempts, including a trio of 3-pointers, to wrestle control early.

The Huskers return to action next Saturday, Dec. 29, as they take wrap up non-conference play against McNeese State. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. and at the Devaney Center and tickets are available by calling 800-8-BIGRED or by visiting Huskers.com.