Nov. 22, 2010
Final Stats
Complete Game Book in PDF Format 
EL PASO, TEXAS- Fueled by Kayla Thornton's first career double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds), an excellent all-around game by Dietra Caldwell (25 points, 6 rebounds & 6 assists) and a quality second half, the UTEP women's basketball team dispatched a feisty Alcorn State squad, 85-72, at the Don Haskins Center Monday evening.
The Miners (3-1) trailed by one (40-39) with 19:01 to play in the second half but changed that quickly with a game-deciding 16-6 surge over the next six minutes. The Lady Braves (0-3) were unable to get any closer than seven from that point, and UTEP enjoyed a double-digit advantage over the final eight minutes of the game.
UTEP drilled a season-high 55.6 percentage (30-54) from the floor, including a stout 60.0 (15-25) in the second half. Unselfish play (20 assists) powered the play, with Caldwell (25), Thornton (17), junior Gloria Brown (13) and sophomore Anete Steinberga (10) all turning in double-digit scoring performances.
"Alcorn State played extremely hard from start to finish," UTEP head coach Keitha Adams said. "It was a scrappy bunch, and it is a tough-nosed team. I was happy with how we played in the second half, and we came out with the win."
Another key to the Miners' efforts on offense was getting quality looks down low. UTEP tallied almost half (40) of its points in the paint.
ASU was held to 37.1 percent from the field (23-62), with a campaign-high 10 blocked shots by the Miners certainly playing a role. Brown led the way in that department with five swats, while sophomore post Kristine Vitola pitched in three. Kim Smith was another key defensively, as she did a fine job with her on-the-ball defense.
Carolinsia Crumbly was the top threat for the visitors, pouring in 25 points. Kiara Ruffin and Tiffany Stewart each pitched in 15 points, but no other Lady Brave managed more than seven points.
UTEP out-rebounded ASU, 40-33, to remain perfect (3-0) on the year when winning the battle on the glass.
Alcorn State took an early 2-0 lead on a jumper by Ruffin but the Miners rattled off seven straight points to take the lead (7-2, 17:11). The Orange and Blue extended their advantage to seven points--on a trio of occasions--and seemed to be in good shape.
The visiting squad had other ideas, though, striking back to regain the edge 27-26 with 5:36 to play in the first period. The two teams traded buckets over the remainder of the stanza, and the Lady Braves carried that one-point lead into the locker room (38-37).
ASU maintained the one-point edge early in the second half (40-39) before the Orange and Blue came alive. The Miners utilized the aforementioned 16-6 surge to take control of the contest. The sequence was capped by five straight from Caldwell, including a long triple. Thornton was also instrumental in the game-deciding stretch, with her rebounding and energy inspiring the home-standing squad in the process.
The Lady Braves continued to fight down the stretch, but the Miners simply would not let them get back into the game. UTEP eventually led by as many as 17 (72-55, 5:47) before putting it on cruise control down the stretch en route to the 13-point triumph.
UTEP will play host to its fourth-annual Thanksgiving Classic on Friday (Nov. 25) and Saturday (Nov. 26). Opening-round matchups on Friday include the Miners versus Idaho State at 4:35 p.m. and Arkansas vs. High Point at 7:05 p.m. The consolation and championship game are set for Saturday at 4:35 and 7:05 p.m., respectively.
