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UTEP Miners

UTEP Miners
UTEP Women Continue Homestand Tuesday

UTEP Women Continue Homestand Tuesday

Nov. 16, 2015

Game Notes In PDF Format Get Acrobat Reader

THE OPENING ACT

  • UTEP will play for the second time in three days when it challenges Northern Arizona at 7:05 p.m. MST Tuesday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
  • The Miners (1-0) blitzed Houston Baptist, 98-63, in their season opener on Nov. 15.
  • The Lumberjacks (0-1) fell to Hawaii, 61-52, at home on Nov. 15.
  • The game is the second of six straight in El Paso to open the year, which equals the second-longest homestand to start a season in program history. UTEP had seven consecutive in 2008-09 while playing six in a row in the Sun City in 2012-13.
  • The contest will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso, KROD-AM Radio, with Steve Kaplowitz (play-by-play) and Traci Miller (color commentator). There will be a live stream on UTEPAthletics (subscription based). Fans can also stay up-to-date by following the Miners on twitter (@UTEPWBB).

 

NEW FORMAT

  • NCAA women's basketball games will be played in four 10-minute quarters this season.
  • Teams will now reach the bonus and shoot two free throws on the fifth team foul in each quarter.
  • In the four-quarter format, team fouls reset to zero at the start of each quarter.
  • Teams now have four timeouts (three 30s, one 60), three which carry over to the second half. They will be able to advance the ball to the frontcourt after a timeout with less than 59.9 seconds in 4Q.
  • There are seven media timeouts (four under five minutes in quarter/first called), two intermission media timeouts (after first and third quarters) and the first team-called timeout during the second half.
  • Bands or amplified music may now play during any dead ball.

 

INSIDE THE SERIES

  • UTEP and Northern Arizona will be meeting for the 21st time when they lock up Tuesday.
  • The Lumberjacks lead the series, 12-8, but 16 of those meetings occurred from the program's inception in 1974-75 through the 1996-97 season.
  • The Miners are 4-0 vs. NAU under head coach Keitha Adams.

 

THE LAST MEETING (at UTEP 82, Northern Arizona 58 (11/19/14)

  • Sparkle Taylor exploded for a career-high 19 points, Stacie Telles added 10 and UTEP defended with a vigor on the way to downing Northern Arizona, 82-58, at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 19.
  • The Miners bolted out to a 17-4 lead, were up, 46-24, at the half and the Lumberjacks never got closer than 20 the rest of the way out in what served as the 500th victory in program history.
  • UTEP nailed 43.3 percent (29-of-67) of its shots, held NAU to 34.0 percent (18-of-53), in addition to winning the rebounding battle, 48-38.
  • The Miners, who led for 39:29 of the 40:00 minutes of action, also forced 18 turnovers that resulted in 28 points.
  • It was a complete team victory, with all 12 Miners who dressed earning playing time.
  • Lawna Kennedy tallied eight points and recorded four boards, Johni Welles set a career best with seven points while Daeshianna McCants posted seven points and a team-high eight rebounds. Cameasha Turner also had six points while Agata Dobrowolska and Lulu McKinney each netted five points. Telles distributed a squad-high six assists and freshman Marta Miscenko pitched in four points and three boards in an efficient 10 minutes of action.

 

GOING BACK IN TIME (at UTEP 98, Houston Baptist 63, 11/7/15)

  • UTEP bolted out to a 28-4 lead over the first seven minutes of the game and never looked back on the way to routing Houston Baptist, 98-63, in its season opener on Nov. 15.
  • The 98 points are the most ever in a campaign lidlifer while ranking ninth all time at the school
  • UTEP held HBU to 32.7 percent (17-of-52) from the floor.
  • HBU committed 33 turnovers (which were converted into 33 points) and rank tied for the eighth most in a tilt by an opposing team.
  • UTEP won the boards, 36-34, with seven different players grabbing three or more.
  • The Miners drained 54.7 percent (35-of-64) of their shots, with good ball movement (17 assists) and unselfish play helping fuel the success
  • Cameasha Turner poured in 20 points to pace a relentless, balanced attack which by game's end resulted in 14 of the 15 players suited up scoring at least one point. Juniors Sparkle Taylor came off the bench to score 15 points while fellow classmate Jenzel Nash (11 points) made a successful return to the court (redshirted last year) by joining them in double figures.
  • The reserves provided 56 points, which is the most by a UTEP bench since a 68-point effort against UT-Permian Basin in a 107-43 victory on Dec. 16, 2006.
  • UTEP moved to 23-19 all time in season openers, including 20-6 in El Paso
  • The Miners are now 10-5 in campaign lidlifters under head coach Keitha Adams, including 9-2 when starting the year at home. UTEP stands 28-13 in home openers, including 12-3 under Adams.
  • UTEP is 27-13 in home openers, including a mark of 11-3 during Adams's tenure.

 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

  • Heading into the start of last year, UTEP was faced with the daunting task of replacing the most successful senior class (Kayla Thornton, Kristine Vitola and Kelli Willingham) in program history. That task was made even harder with anticipated leaders Jenzel Nash and Chrishauna Parker missing the 2014-15 season.
  • The result was a young UTEP squad going through some growing pains on the way to finishing at 12-16, which marked the program's first losing season since 2005-06 (14-16).
  • Things are looking up in 2015-16, with Nash and Parker back in the fold. Overall 10 letter winners return, including three starters, and six newcomers (including redshirt senior transfer Starr Breedlove) set to be in the mix.
  • From a pure statistical standpoint, the Miners have plenty back, evidenced by the chart below.

2015-16 RETURNING & LOST STAT BREAKDOWN

    Category                    Returned               Lost*                   '14-15 Totals    % Returned For '15-16

    Blocked Shots             77                            13                         90                                                   85.6%

    FT Made                     308                          79                        387                                                 79.6%

    Steals                          181                           49                        230                                                 78.7%

    Rebounds                    827                          257                       1084                                                76.3%

    Points                         1360                         479                      1839                                                74.0%

    FG Made                     473                          172                       645                                                 73.3%

    Minutes Played          3953                        1647                     5600                                               70.6%

    Assists                        233                          115                        348                                                 67.0%

    3FG Made                   106                           56                        162                                                  65.4%

 

GETTING TO KNOW NORTHERN ARIZONA

  • Northern Arizona returned three starters and eight letter winners from last year's squad (13-17).
  • The Lumberjacks dropped their season opener at home, 61-52, to Hawaii (won 23 games last year) on Nov. 15. NAU trailed by 14 at halftime but cut the deficit to two in the fourth quarter before fading.
  • NAU shot just 23.7 percent (14-of-59) from the floor but hung around by nailing 80 percent (24-of-30) of its free throws and forcing 23 turnovers.
  • Alyssa Rader paced the team with a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) while Mariah Willadsen and Shay Young finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
  • Notable alumni include the late Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer best known for discovering Pluto, Latvian-American actress Rutanya Alda, who starred in the cult classic Mommie Dearest, & Travis Engvall — Son of comedian Bill Engvall..

 

THE BASIC FACTS ON UTEP

  • UTEP is 511-620 in its 42nd season as a women's basketball program, including 1-0 this year.
  • Five 20+ win seasons (all since 2006-07), including three straight (2012-14) for the first time at school.
  • Two regular-season league championships (2008 & 2012) & one league tourney title (2012).
  • Became first C-USA women's team to go 16-0 while claiming initial league title in 2008.
  • Finished 15-1 in 2012 & won C-USA tournament.
  • Own C-USA single-season record for winning streak at 23, which was set in 2007-08.
  • Made three postseason appearances, including the 2014 WNIT where it earned runner-up honors.
  • Appeared in 2008 & 2012 NCAA Tourney.
  • Earned at-large bid as #7 seed in 2008.
  • Beat #10 seed Western Kentucky, 92-60 (3/22/08) in the first round of '08 “Big Dance.”
  • Bowed out with 88-54 loss at two-seed & #4 seed and eventual national-runner up Stanford.
  • Awarded a #13 seed at 2012 NCAA Tournament, in spite of 29-3 record & winning both the C-USA regular-season & tournament title.
  • Faced #4 seed & #12 in polls Penn State in the 2012 NCAA First Round. Tied at the half (39-39) before eventually falling, 85-77, (3/18/12).
  • The University of Texas at El Paso (founded in 1914) recently enjoyed a centennial celebration.
  • Notable alumni include former ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson, well-respected NFL referee Ed Hochuli, former NASA astronaut Danny Olivas engineer & Dennis Poon, who designed Taipei 101 & some of the tallest buildings in the world..

 

THE ADAMS FILE

  • UTEP is under the direction of 15th-year head coach Keitha Adams.
  • Adams is a two-time C- USA Coach of the Year ('08 & '12) is UTEP's all-time win leader at 248-181.
  • Overall she stands at 375-218 in her 20th year as a collegiate head coach, making her one of two active C-USA coaches with 300+ career collegiate wins.
  • All five 20+ win seasons and six of the seven with 18+ have been during her tenure.
  • She is responsible for all three postseason bids (NCAA in 2008 and 2012; WNIT 2014) and all three league championships (2008 C-USA regular season; 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament) in school history.
  • Twenty of the 23 major individual career records at the school are held by players from her era.
  • Posted at least 16 wins in nine seasons; there were three such campaigns in program's first 27 years.
  • Exactly 100 games above .500 (207-107) since joining Conference USA prior to the 2005-06 season.
  • 115-156 was best record for 10-year stretch before her arrival.
  • Earned votes in top-25 poll in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 and six times overall.
  • Never achieved feat before Adams' era.
  • Nationally ranked for final six weeks of '2007-08.
  • UTEP has compiled 48 months with a winning percentage of .500 or better under Adams compared to just 20 with a losing record in what is now her 15th year on the job. Eight of those 20 came in her first two years.
  • Coached 20 players who have gone on to play professionally, including '08 WNBA draft picks Izabela Piekarska & Natasha Lacy.
  • Impacted the international game at the highest level, with Noni Wharemate representing New Zealand at '08 Olympic Games.
  • Every player who has  exhausted her eligibility at UTEP during her tenure has graduated.

 

THIRD-BEST IN TEXAS SINCE '06-07

  • The Miners have the third-most wins among all DI programs in Texas since 2006-07.
  • Recent national champions & 2014 NCAA Elite 8 participants Baylor (280-44) and Texas A&M (239-76) lead the way while UTEP (193-92) has a firm grip on third. Texas (178-119) is fourth followed by Lamar (176-109). TCU (169-118-sixth), Prairie View A&M (162-130-seventh), Stephen F. Austin (161-120-eighth), SMU (156-124-ninth) and Texas Tech (151-138-10th) round out the top 10.

 

SPECIAL RUN

  • 93-38 since the start of '11-12 season (1-0 this year), with 62 double-digit wins.
  • Qualified for postseason play in two of the four campaigns. Posted 5-1 record en route to earning runner-up honors at the 2014 WNIT while landing an at-large bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament after winning both the 2012 C-USA regular season and tournament title
  • Enjoyed 12 separate winning streaks of at least three games.
  • Contrast that with one three-game losing skid & one six-game setback streak.

CHECK THE STATS

  • 188-59 under Keitha Adams when keeping opposition to less than 40 percent from the floor.
  • 188-41 under Adams when leading at the break.
  • 178-50 under Adams when making better than 40% from the floor.
  • 167-57 under Adams when winning the rebounding battle.
  • 131-34 under Adams when allowing less than 60 points.
  • 83-12 under Adams when opposition has more turnovers than field goals.
  • 71-4 under Adams with 80+ points.
  • 65-3 when recording at least 20 assists during the Adams era.

 

ALL ABOUT THE FANS

  • Ranked in the top-50 nationally for three of the past four years
  • Placed 28th in 2013-14 (3,793 avg.), 42nd in 2012-13 (2,708 avg.) & 46th in 2011-12 (2,639 avg.)
  • 20-2 under head coach Keitha Adams in home games with 4,000+ fans.
  • Attracted a single-season school record 94,832 fans in 2013-14, aided by drawing in 52,108 during six WNIT home games.

 

HOME SWEET HOME

  • Downed Houston Baptist, 98-63, on Nov. 15 to improve to 28-13 all time in home openers.
  • 61-14 in El Paso since 2011-12
  • 162-51 at home since 2002-03
  • Finished 9-6 last year to post 13th straight season with a winning record at home

 

TRAVEL TIME

  • 62-102 on the road under head coach Keitha Adams, hindered by 15-52 mark her first five years.
  • 48-50 since the start of the 2006-07
  • 24-19 since the start of the 2011-12 season
  • Posted three winning road records under Adams, a feat never achieved prior to Adams's tenure.
  • Recorded five campaigns with a mark of .500 or better under Adams.
  • That happened just twice in the first 27 years of the program.

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Redshirt-senior Chrishauna Parker is the only player in program history to rank in the top 10 for career rebounds (730-4th) and assists (269-6th). She is sixth in double-doubles (15), ninth in free throws maded (229) and 10th in attempts (364). Parker is a also a member of the 700-point club (722-28th), is eighth for most wins (82), tied 10th for starts (78), 14th for minutes (2,484), 21st for steals (99) and 21st in games played (99) and 28th in field goals made (242)
  • Senior Cameasha Turner is 31st all time in scoring (677). She is also 14th for starts (69), 20th in three-pointers made (56) and steals (102), 23rd for three-pointers attempted (177) and free-throws made (173) and 28th for games played (92).

 

LOOKING AHEAD

  • UTEP will continue its season-opening six-game homestand when it plays host to Hampton at 2:05 p.m. MST Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
  • The first Keitha Adams radio show will be held from 6-7 p.m. MST on Wednesday at Rulis' International Kitchen (4176 North Mesa Street). Fans are invited to the show, which will feature Coach Adams talking all things UTEP women's basketball with Steve Kapolowitz. There will be a Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. with the following specials: $4 street tacos, $5 single-topping pizza, $5 nacho charros, $1 off beer and $2 off glasses of wine, Keitha Adams Radio Show Special: 1/2 pound grass-fed burger, and a 16-ounce craft beer for only $10.

 

CLIFFNOTES ON THE '15-16 SEASON

(at UTEP 66, St. Mary's 50, 11/7/15- EXHIBITION GAME)

  • Starr Breedlove (15 points) and Cameasha Turner (11) each reached double figures in scoring to help propel the UTEP women's basketball team past St. Mary's, 66-50, in an exhibition contest at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 7
  • The Rattlers got off to a quick start, leading 5-0 with 8:32 to play in the first quarter. The Miners regrouped, outscoring the visitors 15-7 during the remainder of the period to lead 15-12 after 10 minutes of action. UTEP extended the advantage to double figures (36-25) entering halftime.
  • Mary's tallied the first eight points of the third quarter but the Orange and Blue responded with an 11-2 run to reinstate order. The margin was 13 (53-40) heading to the fourth quarter and the Rattlers never got closer than eight the rest of the way.
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