Nov. 9, 2007
Final Stats
Box Score in PDF Format 
Jareica Hughes led all players with 27 points, nine assists and four steals, but it wasn't enough as the UTEP women's basketball team fell at Nebraska, 81-74, in the season opener for both teams on Friday night. The Miners overcame a 14-point deficit late in the first-half to take a 41-38 at the break, only to have the Huskers rally for the victory.
NU out-scored the Orange and Blue, 43-33, after the break, which was aided by controlling the glass. The Huskers held a 45-29 rebounding advantage which helped them wear down the Miners. Also factoring in was Nebraska taking 26 free throws compared to seven for UTEP.
The Miners shot the ball well, connecting on 47.1 percent of its chances. Included among that figure was seven three pointers, with Hughes draining three.
Hughes was joined in double-digits by Natasha Lacy (18 points, four rebounds) and Kasia Krezel (12 points, six rebounds). Nebraska had a quartet of players who finished in double figures, led by Danielle Page's 19-points and five boards. Preseason All-Big 12 member Kelsey Griffin added 15 points and eight boards, while Tay Hester and Kaitlyn Burke chipped in 13 points apiece.
"It was a hard-fought game," head coach Keitha Adams said. "We just got our tails kicked on the boards, and that was the difference. We will build from this."
Nebraska opened strong, buidling a 26-12 lead with 9:37 to play in the opening period. The two teams traded baskets the next several minutes, before the Miners began to get on track.
A jumper by Lacy with 4:58 to play in the period sparked a 9-0 run to bring UTEP within five (33-28) with 3:40 left in the half. The Orange and Blue were not done, though, as Hughes and Krezel combined to rattle off eight straight points to vault the Miners ahead by three at the break.
The Huskers surged back into the lead courtesy of a 10-0 spurt to christen the second half. UTEP refused to quit, however, battling back with a 18-6 run to take a 61-54 edge with 7:32 left in the game.
Nebraska had an answer, though, out-scoring the Miners 12-2 the next five-and-a half minutes to move back ahead by 10 (73-63) with 2:29 left in the tilt. The Miners got within five after a couple of buckets with 17 seconds left in the half, but the Huskers made their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
UTEP will be back in action in an exhibition match against the Chinese Olympic team at 7:05 p.m. on Monday. The Chinese team is rated 10th in the world, according to the latest FIBA rankings.
