El Paso, TX -- (Sports Network) - Luke Nevill registered a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds off the bench as the Utah Runnin' Utes captured an 81-69 win over the UTEP Miners in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational at the Don Haskins Center.

Also scoring in double figures for the Utes (18-14) was Johnnie Bryant who tallied a team-best 17 points in a reserve role as well. Shaun Green responded with eight points and 11 rebounds in the victory.

The Miners (19-14) were paced by Stefon Jackson who tallied a game-high 20 points and ripped down eight boards, followed by Tavaris Watts and Randy Culpepper with 14 points apiece.

UTEP came out flat in the first half, converting a mere 7-of-34 shots from the field, leading to a 34-24 deficit at the break.

In the second half the Miners boosted their accuracy to 48.6 percent from the floor, but it wasn't enough as the visitors knocked down all but one of their 22 opportunities at the free-throw line in taking the 12-point win.

In addition to limiting the home team to just 34.8 percent from the field on the night, Utah also outscored the Miners 29-14 at the charity stripe.

Utah will now face off against Tulsa in the quarterfinals of the tournament on Monday night.