ESPN Men's Basketball

EL PASO, Texas -- Randy Culpepper scored a career-high 45 points and UTEP ran away from East Carolina 100-76 Saturday night to maintain its hold on first place in Conference USA.

Culpepper finished 14 of 18 from the field, including 9 of 12 from 3-point range to tie for the second most points scored both UTEP and Conference USA history. The Miners (19-5) won their ninth straight conference game, tying the school record set in the 1954-55 season, and are 10-1 in conference for the first time.

Erin Straughn scored 18 points to lead the Pirates (8-17, 2-9), who have allowed 100 points in two of the last three games.

Culpepper scored a school and conference record 31 points in the first half as the Miners built a 63-33 advantage. East Carolina didn't get closer than 24 the rest of the way.

Derrick Caracter had 13 points for UTEP and Julyan Stone added 11 assists.