UTEP Miners

Game Notes In PDF Format
UTEP TIPS OFF CONFERENCE USA PLAY AT FIU FRIDAY
UTEP (9-4, 0-0 C-USA) will tip off 2018 Conference USA play at FIU (3-10, 0-0 C-USA) at 5 p.m. MST/7 p.m. EST Friday. The Miners have won two straight and four of the past five, including a 73-62 victory to wrap up non-conference play at UC Riverside on Dec. 30. The Panthers capped non-league action on a high note by downing Vermont, 80-70, on Dec. 30. The game will be broadcast locally in El Paso on 600 ESPN El Paso with Brandon Cohn on the call and streamed live on CUSA.tv (subscription required). Fans may also receive timely updates by following the Miners on Twitter @UTEPWBB.
 
TALKING LEAGUE LIDLIFTERS
UTEP is 9-3 in Conference USA openers since joining the league (2005-06). The Miners had won seven straight in the situation before falling, 83-81, in overtime at home against UTSA on Jan. 1, 2017, last season. Overall UTEP stands at 14-22 all time in conference openers.
 
WRAPPING UP LONG STRETCH BETWEEN HOME GAMES
After a season-opening six-game homestand (5-1), the Miners are on the final leg of a period of more than five-and-a half weeks without playing a home game (Dec. 2-Jan. 11). UTEP  is in the stretch run (4-3 thus far) of playing nine games (six road, three neutral) in between. The first seven games were of the non-conference variety but the final two (at FIU Friday, at Florida Atlantic Sunday) will serve as the opening weekend of Conference USA play. It is the longest such stretch since the 1987-88 season (Nov. 29-Jan. 4), during which the Orange and Blue had 12 contests between home tilts.
 
GAME FORMAT
For the third straight season, NCAA women's basketball games will be played in four 10-minute quarters. Teams 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 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 play during any dead ball.
 
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA          
Fans are encouraged to connect with the Miners on Facebook (UTEP Women's Basketball), Instagram (@utepwbb) and Twitter (@UTEPWBB). They are also encouraged to use #WeAreMiners in posts.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
UTEP leads the series with FIU, 5-2, including 5-1 since the Panthers joined Conference USA, but the ledger is tied , 1-1 when playing in Miami. This is the Miners' first trip to FIU arena since FIU used a 35+ foot 3-point buzzer-beating heave to down UTEP, 88-87, in triple overtime in Miami on Jan. 12, 2017. It was the longest game in program history while affording FIU its first victory against UTEP as a member of C-USA. This is the third straight year that UTEP and FIU are playing a home-and-home series. UTEP swept the season series in 2015-16 while both home teams successfully defended their home court last season.
 
GETTING TO KNOW FIU
FIU is 3-10 on the season, including 3-6 at home, and enters the match-up with the Miners having bested Vermont, 80-70, in its non-conference finale on Dec. 30. Half of its losses on the year have been by single digits, including a buzzer-beating setback vs. Clemson on Dec. 21. The Panthers are paced by Kristian Hudson (14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.8 apg) and Kiandre'a Pound (14.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg) but Alexis Gordon (7.5 ppg) and Shante Walker (7.2 ppg) have proven to be capable scoring threats. In fact Gordon erupted for 40 points in the win over Vermont to garner C-USA Player of the Week accolades as announced by the league office on Jan. 2. She drilled a school-record nine 3-pointers in the contest and had 20 points in each half. It marked the second straight week FIU has claimed the honor; Hudson was so recognized on Dec. 26. The Panthers have top-100 NCAA team rankings in free-throw percentage (73.6-64th), free throws made (187-79th) and are close to cracking that barrier for free throws attempted (254-105th) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (29.7-106th). Individually Hudson is 42nd in minutes per game (36.5), 56th for free-throw percentage (85.4) 131st in field goals attempted (180) , 196th in assists per game (3.8) and 249th in scoring (14.6). Pound is 62nd in rebounding (9.2), 191st in field-goal percentage (44.8) and 232nd in free-throw percentage (74.0). FIU returned three starters and four letter winners overall from last year's team (5-24) and was picked 14th in the 2017-18 C-USA preseason poll. Notable school alumni include Andy Garcia (actor) and Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River).
 
LAST MEETING WITH FIU (at UTEP 88, FIU 47 (2/25/17)
UTEP stormed out to a 28-9 first-quarter lead and never looked back on the way to posting a resounding 88-47 victory to send Sparkle Taylor out in style on "Senior Day" on Feb. 25, 2017. The 41-point margin of victory is the second biggest in a conference game in program history. UTEP led 44-25 at the half and any aspirations the visitors had of mounting a second-half comeback when the Orange and Blue ripped off 20 straight points over the first five-plus minutes of the third quarter. Taylor poured in a game-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and career-best tying five assists in a fitting final home performance for her career. Katarina Zec (career-high 13 points), Tamara Seda (15 points, six rebounds) and Najala Howell (13 points, eight boards) also hit double figures for the Orange and Blue. UTEP drilled 44.9 percent (31-69) from the field, including a ridiculous 61.1 percent (11-18) during the huge third quarter (31-8). The 31 points in that frame tied as the third-most ever by the Miners in a quarter. FIU finished at 36.5 percent (19-52) from the floor, which was hurt by going 0-10 from three-point range. The visitors also made 17 turnovers-compared to a season-low nine by UTEP- which lead to a 28-7 advantage for the Miners in points off turnovers.
 
GOING BACK IN TIME (UTEP 73, at UC Riverside 62 (12/30/17)
Najala Howell poured in a career-high 23 points while Tamara Seda notched her second straight double-double (21 points, 14 rebounds) to help power UTEP to a wire-to-wire 73-62 win at UC Riverside on Dec. 30. The Miners bolted out to a 20-point lead at the half and led by 17 with six minutes to play before the Highlanders scored the next 12 points in the game to cut the margin down to five (67-62). UTEP kept its composure while regaining momentum for good on a triple by Howell to help fuel a game-closing 6-0 run. Faith Cook, who finished with seven points and six assists, set up both field goals down the stretch. UTEP connected on 43.9 percent (29-66) from the floor, aided by drilling 20-36 during the impressive opening half. The Miners dished out a season-high 20 assists while finishing with a season-low 14 turnovers for the second time in as many nights. Zuzanna Puc joined Howell and Seda in double figures for scoring with a campaign-high 15 points in 25 minutes of action off the pine.
 
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
UTEP rolled to a record of 9-4 in non-conference play, which already surpasses last season's overall victory total (8-23). The Miners tripled their non-league victory total (3-9) in 2016-17. UTEP has enjoyed three different winning streaks of at least two contests, including peeling off four consecutive triumphs to christen the campaign. Last year's squad only managed win back-to-back games once. The difference in play extends beyond wins and losses, as evidenced by the chart below which compares and contrasts the average stats by this year's Miners vs. the 2016-17 squad through 13 contests played.
 
UTEP AVERAGE STATS THROUGH 13 GAMES (9-4 IN 2017-18; 3-10 IN 2016-17)
Team           PPG         PPGA        FG%        FGD%      3fg%         3FGD%       FT%      RB       RBM        AST      TO       STL     BLK
2017-18       66.9           63.5              43.5          38.4            37.7           28.2                73.6       42.3     +11.3        13.9        19.5     3.9        1.6
2016-17       62.5           68.8              38.4          39.8            24.8           31.8                68.6       42.5     +3.1          13.8        17.8     6.2        5.3
 
QUICK RUNDOWN ON THE SEASON
UTEP bolted out of the gate at 4-0 for the year for the ninth time in program history and stood at 5-1 following its season-opening six game homestand. After dropping their next two contests, both on the road, the Orange and Blue rallied to win two straight and four of five to close out non-conference play at 9-4 and with momentum. Two of the victories in the surge have come in overtime, including a thrilling 92-91 double OT triumph at Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 29.
 
SENSATIONAL START TO BAKER ERA
Kevin Baker joined former Miner coach Carol Ammermann (1974-75) as the only two first-year Miner head coaches to begin their tenure at the school with four consecutive victories. After improving to 5-1 UTEP dropped back-to-back contests but it bounced back to forge a 4-1 mark since and wrap up non-conference play at 9-4. The effort permitted Baker to match Ammermann for the best start in program history by a first-year head coach. In 1974-75, the program's first season, Ammermann also had UTEP at 9-4 at this juncture. With a win against FIU on Friday, Baker would own the best record by a first-year Miner head coach through 15 contests.
  
CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY
With 16 Conference USA games on the docket, at 9-4 Kevin Baker is in prime position to become the most successful first-year head coach at UTEP. Carol Ammermann (11-5, 1974-75) and Janet Wood (11-16, 1979-80) currently share the platform. Ammermann is also responsible for the lone winning record by a first-year Miner head coach in school history. Prior to Baker's arrival the seven head coaches at UTEP went a combined 54-120 (8-17 average record) in their first year at the helm of the program.
 
CLEANING UP THE GLASS
UTEP sports a +11.3 rebounding margin (42.3-31.0) on the season to pace C-USA and rank ninth nationally. Helping that figure are 29.7 defensive rebounds per contest which ranks second in the league and places 25th in the country.  The 42.3 rebounds per game is second in C-USA and 56th in the nation. Senior Tamara Seda has been the top performer at 10.5 rpg, which paces the league and is 22nd in the country. Seda is grabbing four offensive rebounds per game, which is first in C-USA and 14th nationally.
 
STREAKING ON THE BOARDS
The Miners have outrebounded their opponents in all 13 contests of the campaign, the longest such streak to start a year since at least 1982-83 (prior records incomplete). The prior best to start a year was nine in a row (1996-97). Overall it is the longest stretch at any point of a campaign since UTEP won the rebounding battle in the final 17 contests of the 2011-12 season.
 
BOX OUT
UTEP has done an excellent job of boxing out this season. The Miners have secured a Conference USA leading 72.7 percent of the possible defensive rebounds. UTEP has grabbed the defensive rebound 386 times out of a possible 531 boards. The Miners' 29.7 defensive rebounds per game is second in the league and 25th nationally.
 
MORE ON THE MARGIN ON THE GLASS
Aiding UTEP's numbers in the rebounding department was back-to-back games in which it had a +20 advantage earlier this year. The Miners were +24 (51-27) against Arkansas on Nov. 24 and +21 (46-25) vs. Texas Southern on Nov. 25. It was the first time UTEP had won the rebounding battle by 20+ boards in back-to-back games since the 2011-12 season. That year UTEP achieved the feat in wins against Texas State on Dec. 31, 2011 (50-24, +26) and SMU on Jan. 5, 2012, (52-28, +24).
 
SOLID SHOOTING
UTEP enters the match-up at FIU having drilled 43.5 percent (300-690) from the floor to rate sixth in C-USA and 72nd nationally. The Miners have hit better than 50 percent from the floor in five contests, including in each of the first three games of the season for the first time since at least 1982-83 (prior records incomplete).
 
BOMBS AWAY
UTEP stands at 37.7 percent (72-191) from 3-point range this season to ranks third in C-USA and 30th nationally. The Miners have hit connected on at least 40 percent from distance in back-to-back tilts and seven times (6-1) overall on the season. UTEP has a pair of games that it sunk 10+ treys; it was 12-22 at NM State and 10-21 against HBU on Dec. 2. The 12 makes at NM State tied for sixth on the school's single-game records.
 
GETTING TO THE LINE
The Miners have done an outstanding job of getting to the charity stripe and taking advantage once there. In fact UTEP has made more free throws than its foes have attempted. The Orange and Blue are 198-268 (73.6 percent) at the free-throw line in 2017-18 while the opposition stands 111-176 (63.1 percent). Overall it works out to 15.2 free throws made per game for UTEP to 8.5 for its opponents. Helping that figure was nailing a school-record 42 free throws on 50 attempts (third most at school) vs. East Carolina on Dec. 17. The effort has the Miners third in the league and 45th in the country for free throws made (198), second for C-USA and 65th nationally for free throws attempted (269) and third in the conference and 65th in the nation in free-throw percentage (73.6).
 
GETTING DEFENSIVE
UTEP is holding foes to 63.5 points per game on 38.4 percent (312-813) shooting, including 28.2 percent (91-323) on 3-point shots. The effort has the Miners third in C-USA and 55th nationally for 3-point percentage defense. Helping those numbers has been keeping more than half (eight of 13) opponents to 62 or fewer points, including an opponent season-low 33 points by Samford on Dec. 21.
 
KEEPING THE FOULS TO A MINIMUM
One thing that UTEP has done exceptionally well in 2017-18 has been limiting its fouls. The Miners have committed 15 or fewer fouls in eight contests. Overall UTEP has been tagged with 15.5 personal fouls per game to rank third in C-USA and 55th in the nation.
 
MORE ON THE DEFENSE
UTEP has kept eight foes to below 40.0 percent from the floor, including holding the first three opponents on the year to under 33 percent for the first time since 1982-83 (prior records incomplete). The best effort came against Samford when it shot 20.8 percent on Dec. 21. That effort ranked as the sixth-best defensive field-goal percentage in program history. In terms of guarding the 3-point shot, 10 opponents have been kept to below 33.3 percent from distance. The Miners turned in a historic performance last time out at UC Riverside when the Highlanders finished 0-16 from distance on Dec. 30. It marked the most 3-point attempts by an opponent without a make since the shot was added in women's college hoops for the 1987-88 campaign. 
 
PLENTY OF PLAYING TIME TO GO AROUND
The Miners have only nine active players on the roster, meaning that there's plenty of playing time to go around. Head coach Kevin Baker has done a good job of spreading the minutes around with eight different Miners (Najala Howell-32.8, Tamara Seda-31.8, Katarina Zec-29.7, Jordan Alexander-27.6, Faith Cook-27.5, Zuzanna Puc-20.4, Jordan Jenkins-16.8 and Roeshonda Patterson-16.3 logging at least 15 minutes per contest. That leaves Rachel Tapps (3.4) as the lone player on the squad at below 10.0 mpg.
 
SEDA DOMINATING DOWN LOW
Senior Tamara Seda has been a force to be reckoned with in 2017-18. She paces C-USA and is among the national leaders for double-doubles (seven-first/20th), rebounding (10.5 rpg-1st/22nd), field-goal percentage (min. 50 FGA, 55.4-first/43rd) and offensive rebounds per game (4-1st/14th). Seda also leads UTEP and places among the league and national rankings for scoring (15.7 ppg-seventh/168th) and free throws made (50-3rd/109th) and attempted (77-2nd/45th). She enjoyed a stretch (11/24/17-12/5/17) with five straight double-doubles, the longest such streak by a Miner in non-conference play since at least 1982-83 (prior records incomplete). Seda has reached double figures in scoring in a team-high 11 contests, including four games with 20+ points (career-high 30-at Cal State Fullerton-12/29/17, 21-at UC Riverside-12/30/17, 20-Arkansas-11/24/17 and 20-CSU Bakersfield-11/11/17).
 
WHAT A WEEKEND
Tamara Seda turned in a simply dominant weekend of action in helping guide the Miners to two road wins in as many days at Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 29 (92-91, 2OT) and at UC Riverside on Dec. 30 (73-62). She averaged 25.5 points and 13.0 rebounds while shooting a combined 84.0 percent (21-25) from the floor. It marked the first time of her career with back-to-back 20+ point contests, including a career-high 30-point outburst at CSUF.
 
HOWELL'S ALL-AROUND EFFORT
Junior Najala Howell leads the Miners in playing time (32.8 mpg), 3-pointers made (21), attempted (46) and percentage (45.7), ranks second on the team in scoring (13.5 ppg) and third in assists (2.2 apg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). She has reached double figures for scoring in 10 games this year, including a career-high 23-point effort at UC Riverside last time out on Dec. 30. Her 83.3 free-throw percentage is 86th in the country.
 
COMING ALIVE FROM 3-POINT LAND
Najala Howell leads the team in 3-pointers made (21), attempted (46) and percentage (45.7). Helping that cause was sinking a career-high five triples (on five attempts) in the win at UC Riverside on Dec. 30. In fact she already has sunk more treys than she did last year when she finished 19-54 for a readout of 35.2 percent.
 
ALEXANDER GETTING AFTER IT
Junior Jordan Alexander, one of two newcomers on this year's squad, has established herself as a difference maker. She ranks second on the team in rebounding (6.9 rpg), offensive rebounds (24) and free throws attempted (48), third in free throws made (36) and fourth in scoring (7.4) and minutes per game (27.6 mpg). She has a trio of double-digit scoring efforts, including a career-high tying 15 points vs. East Carolina on Dec. 17. Alexander has also secured 10+ boards in two contests and joins Tamara Seda as the lone Miners to have at least five rebounds in every game.
 
ZEC STEPPING HER GAME UP
Sophomore Katarina Zec is third on the team in scoring (9.4 ppg). She has reached double figures in scoring in seven games, which already eclipses her total (six) of such contests from her freshman season. She has a pair of 20+ point efforts (career-high 22-at NM State-12/10/17 and 21-at Cal State Fullerton-12/29/17), both of which have come on the road. She was locked in from distance against the Aggies, making a school-record tying seven triples out of 10 attempts. Overall she is second on the team for 3-pointers made (15), and third for 3-pointers attempted (39) and percentage (38.5).  As a freshman she pitched in 5.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 20.8 mpg.
 
COOK MAKING IMPROVEMENT TOO
Faith Cook, who leads all Miner reserves in playing time (27.5 mpg), is accounting for 5.6 ppg after putting up 1.9 ppg a year ago. She also paces the team in assists (2.8 apg), which tops her effort (1.7 apg) from a year ago as well. A notable area of improvement has been her shooting from distance. After going 19.3 percent (11-57) from 3-point range as a freshman, she has moved to 37.5 percent (15-40) from beyond-the-arc, already giving her four more triples made than during her entire 2016-17 season. She is second on the squad in 3-pointers made and attempted
 
PATTERSON PITCHING IN OFF THE PINE
Sophomore Roeshonda Patterson has emerged as a scoring threat off the bench for the Miners in 2017-18. She is providing 6.3 ppg to place second among the reserves and rank sixth on the squad overall. She has drilled 44.3 percent (27-61) from the floor, including a readout of 39.4 percent (13-33) on triples to place second on the team. It is a vast improvement from a year ago when she chipped in 2.3 ppg one 22.5 percent shooting (18-80), including 22.8 percent (13-57) on 3 pointers.
 
PUC FINDING HER RHYTHM
Sophomore Zuzanna Puc has provided a boost from the bench by pacing the reserves in both scoring (7.2 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg) in 20.4 mpg. Puc averaged 3.7 points and 3.5 rebounds over the first eight games (she missed the first two with injuries) but has rounded into form of late. The past five games she has contributed 11.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg. She has hit double figures in three of those contests, including a season-high 15 points at UC Riverside on Dec. 30. 
 
JENKINS MAKING AN IMPACT WITH PASSING
Freshman Jordan Jenkins ranks leads the team in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.3) while ranking second on the squad in assists (2.5). In terms of her own offense six of her nine field goals made have come on 3-point shots. Helping that was scoring a career-high seven points on 2-4 shooting, including 2-2 at the free-throw line, in a personal-best 27 minutes at Tulane on Dec. 22.
 
STARTING FAST
UTEP has been at its best in the first quarter this year with a +4.4 scoring margin (16.9-12.5) in the frame. Overall the Miners have led through 10 minutes of action in 11 contests (9-2). The first quarter is UTEP's best both in terms of scoring average and scoring defense.
 
STAUNCH FIRST-QUARTER DEFENSE
Three times this year the Miners have held opponents to five points or less in the first quarter of play, including keeping Samford to four opening-quarter points on Dec. 21. The Miners previously achieved the feat against Arkansas on Nov. 24 (three points) and CSU Bakersfield (five points) on Nov. 11. The three points conceded vs. Arkansas ties the program standard for fewest points allowed in a frame. 
 
IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Miners have top-100 NCAA team rankings for rebound margin (+11.3-ninth), defensive rebounds per game (30-25th), 3-point field-goal percentage (37.7-30th), free throws made (198-45th), fewest personal fouls per game (15.5-55th), 3-point field-goal defense (28.2-55th), rebounds per game (42.3-56th), free-throw percentage (73.6-65th), free throws attempted (269-65th) and field-goal percentage (43.5-72nd). Areas of concern include turnovers per game (19.5-315th), blocks per game (1.8-330th), forcing turnovers (12.4-332nd), turnover margin (-7.1-342nd) and steals per game (3.9-345th). Individually Tamara Seda is 14th in offensive rebounds per game (four), 20th for double-doubles (seven), 22nd in rebounds per game (10.5), 43rd in field-goal percentage (55.4), 45th in free throw attempts (77), 109th for free throws made (50) and 168th in points per game (15.7). Najala Howell is 86th in free-throw percentage (83.3)
 
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2017-18 MINERS
UTEP returned eight letter winners (Faith Cook, Jakeira Ford, Najala Howell, Roeshonda Patterson, Zuzanna Puc, Tamara Seda, Rachel Tapps and Katarina Zec) from last year's squad (8-23, 5-11 Conference USA) but Ford is no longer on the squad. Puc, Seda and Zec all started for UTEP in 2016-17. The Miners also added four newcomers (Jordan Alexander, Ariona Gill, Jordan Jenkins and Neidy Ocuane) but Gill and Ocuane are slated to take a redshirt year in 2017-18. The squad is under the direction of first-year head coach Kevin Baker, who is assisted by first-year assistants Nicole Dunson, Michael Madrid and Lori Morris.
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Head coach Kevin Baker inherited a young team, with 55.6% of the active roster (5-of-9) comprised of sophomores (Faith Cook, Roeshonda Patterson, Zuzanna Puc, Rachel Tapps and Katarina Zec). The Miners have just three upperclassmen, in the form of one senior (Tamara Seda) to go along with returning junior Najala Howell and junior-college transfer Jordan Alexander. Freshman Jordan Jenkins rounded out the active roster. Two other newcomers (junior-college transfers Ariona Gill and Neidy Ocuane) are sitting out the 2017-18 season as redshirts.
 
NEW FACES
The Miners have four newcomers in 2017-18, though two of the additions (junior Ariona Gill, 5-11, G/F, San Jacinto College) and junior Neidy Ocuane (5-5, G, Seward County CC) are redshirting. Junior Jordan Alexander (5-11, F, Trinity Valley CC) and freshman Jordan Jenkins (5-3, G, Buffalo HS) both have started all 12 games. Last year Alexander helped TVCC qualify for its 10th straight trip to the national tournament and finish with an overall record of 30-6. She put up 6.5 points per game while also grabbing 2.5 rebounds per game. Jenkins averaged 20 points, eight steals, seven assists and six rebounds to help her squad earn runner-up honors in Texas 2017 in the UIL 3A playoffs. Ocuane paced her team in assists per game (4.7) and steals per game (2.4) while ranking fourth in scoring (11.2). Her efforts helped it win the program's first conference title in eight years.
 
NOTING THE SCHEDULE
The return of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic and a 16-game Conference USA slate, match-ups against both New Mexico and NM State and non-conference contests against power league members Arkansas and East Carolina highlight the 2017-18 UTEP women's basketball schedule. There are also games against three teams that played in the 2017 NCAA Tournament (NM State, Texas Southern and WKU) and four from the 2017 Postseason WNIT (Georgetown, LA Tech, Middle Tennessee and Southern Miss)
 
THE BAKER FILE
Kevin Baker was appointed as the eighth head coach in UTEP women's basketball history on Monday, April 24, 2017. He has a unique background which has seen him rise through the coaching ranks from high school level, to NCAA Division III, then NCAA Division II and now his NCAA Division I position at UTEP. Throughout his ascent, though, he has consistently found a way to win. He is 353-135 overall in his 16th year as a head coach, including 131-34 in his sixth season as a college head coach. He has set school records for wins at every stop of his career, and has taken every school to the playoffs with a total of five district championships. He is an eight-time Coach of the Year. In his stops most recently prior to UTEP, Baker's teams captured back-to-back conference championships at UT-Tyler and Angelo State. Baker has led both a Division II (Angelo State) and Division III (UT-Tyler) school to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
 
EXPERIENCED STAFF
While head coach Kevin Baker and his three assistants (Nicole Dunson, Michael Madrid and Lori Morris) are in their first year at UTEP, they brought plenty of coaching experience to the Sun City. The quartet entered the 2017-18 season with a combined 93 years of coaching experience (Morris-37 years, Baker-23 years, Madrid-22 years and Dunson-11 years).
 
BASIC FACTS ON THE PROGRAM
UTEP is 556-652 in its 44th season as a women's basketball program, including 9-4 in 2017-18. The Miners have made four postseason bids (2016,-WNIT quarterfinals; 2014-WNIT runner-up, 2012-NCAA first round and 2008-NCAA second round), sporting a combined record of 9-4 (8-2 WNIT, 1-2 NCAA). UTEP has claimed four league championships (2016 C-USA regular season, 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament and 2008 C-USA regular season). It has a 1-1 record all time in league tournament title games, winning the title in 2012 and falling in 2008. There have been six 20+ win seasons (all since 2006-07), including four of the past six years. UTEP has cracked the top-25 poll in two seasons (2015-16, 2007-08), including being ranked in the final six weeks in '07-08, while receiving votes in eight campaigns total ('15-16, '13-14, '12-13, '11-12, '08-09, '07-08 and '06-07). The Miners have been mentioned in the AP Preseason Poll four times, including garnering three points in 2016-17. In 2008 UTEP became the first C-USA women's team to finish undefeated in league play (16-0) while claiming the program's initial league title in 2008. The Miners finished 15-1 in C-USA in 2012 in addition to also winning the program's first conference tournament championship. UTEP owns the C-USA single-season record for winning streak at 23, which was set in 2007-08. The University of Texas at El Paso (founded in 1914) recently enjoyed its 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.
 
THIRD-BEST IN TEXAS SINCE 2006-07
The Miners have the third-highest winning percentage among all DI programs in Texas since 2006-07. Baylor (361-52, 87.4%), and Texas A&M (294-102, 74.2%) lead the way followed by UTEP (238-124, 65.7%).  Texas (245-134, 64.6%-4th), Lamar (217-139, 61.0%-5th), Stephen F. Austin (211-142, 59.8%-6th), TCU (208-155, 57.3%-7th), SMU (192-164, 53.9%-9th), Prairie View A&M (190-172, 52.5%-9th) and Texas Tech (184-180, 50.5%-10th) round out the top 10.
 
SPECIAL RUN
The Miners are 138-70 since the start of the 2011-12 season, with 83 double-digit victories in that time frame. UTEP has played postseason basketball in three of the past six seasons, making two deep runs in the WNIT (2014 runner-up, 2016 quarterfinals) and earning the C-USA automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament (lost, first round). It is has enjoyed 14 separate winning streaks of at least three games during that time frame.
 
HOME SWEET HOME
UTEP has an all-time home record of 356-215, including standing 5-1 this year. The Miners have amassed a record of 157-41 at home since 2006-07, including 90-24 since 2011-12. Aiding that 90-24 record over the past six years was a school-record 19-1 home mark in 2015-16. The Miners' next home contest is against Charlotte on Jan. 11, which will be the seventh of 14 regular-season tilts at the Don Haskins Center in 2017-18. UTEP has been particularly strong in non-conference play, sporting a record of 80-12 at home in the situation since 2006-07.
 
ALL ABOUT THE FANS
The Miners received tremendous support to help propel them to a pair of deep runs in the WNIT (2014 runner-up honors, 2016 quarterfinals) in the past four years. UTEP averaged 7,773 fans per game during the 10 WNIT contests (8-2 record) in El Paso. Aiding those numbers were back-to-back sellouts , the first in program history, in the semifinals and finals of the 2014 WNIT. The Miners have ranked in the top-50 nationally for attendance in three of the past six years. UTEP placed 28th in 2013-14 (3,793 avg.), 42nd in 2012-13 (2,708 avg.) and 46th in 2011-12 (2,639 avg.). The Miners are 28-10 when playing in front of 4,000+ fans since 2001-02. They are 25-3 in the situation at the Don Haskins Center and 3-7 when doing so on the road.
 
TRAVEL TIME
UTEP is 141-358 all time on the road, including a mark of 2-3 this year. That already eclipses last year's road win total (1-9). When playing at a neutral site the Miners stand 59-78, including 2-0 this year. Since the start of the 2006-07 season UTEP is 59-65 on the road, including 35-34 since 2011-12. 
 
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
Redshirt-senior Tamara Seda ranks tied fifth at UTEP for  in double-doubles (18), sixth in blocked shots (78), tied 10th in rebounding average (7.1), 12th in rebounds (557), 28th in free throws made (159), tied 30th in field goals made (246), tied 35th in scoring (651) and 39th for games played (78).
 
2016-17 IN REVIEW
UTEP went through a rebuilding year in 2016-17, finishing with a record of 8-23, including 5-13 in Conference USA play, before bowing out in the first round of the 2017 C-USA Championships. The youth-laden Miners lost all five starters from the 2015-16 season and returned only four letter winners from that squad, giving them a new look for the year. UTEP played its most challenging non-conference schedule in program history with a single-season school-record five games against teams from power five conferences. It went 0-5 in those contests while finishing 3-4 vs. non power league programs in non-conference play. Overall UTEP was saddled with a 2-9 start to the year before going 3-3 over the next six games. The Miners then lost a season-long six straight and eight of the next nine before posting back-to-back victories. UTEP dropped its final two games of the regular season and was upended by sixth-seeded Old Dominion in the first round of the C-USA Championships, 80-70.
 
CLIFF NOTES ON THE 2017-18 SEASON
UTEP OUTLASTS CAL STATE FULLERTON, 92-91, IN DOUBLE OVERTIME (UTEP 92, at Cal State Fullerton 91, 2OT, (12/29/17)
Tamara Seda posted a huge double-double (career-high 30 points, 12 rebounds) to help UTEP outlast homestanding Cal State Fullerton, 92-91, in double overtime Friday night. The game featured six ties and eight lead changes, with the final one coming after Zuzanna Puc banked home a runner in the lane to put the Miners up by one with 15 seconds left. The Titans, who had their three-game winning streak snapped, misfired on a baseline jumper as time expired. UTEP connected on 54.0 percent (34-63) of its shots, won the boards (35-33) and committed a season-low tying 14 turnovers. Katarina Zec poured in 21 points to buoy Seda while Najala Howell (16 points) and Puc (12 points) also reached double figures in scoring. Faith Cook tallied five points to go along with a team-high four assists.
 
SEDA JOINS 30-POINT GAME CLUB
Tamara Seda became just the second Miner in program history to score at least 30 points in a road game when she finished with 30 points (11-13 FG, 8-10 FT) in the 92-91 double overtime win at Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 29. She joined former Miner great and WNBA player Kayla Thornton, who went off for 32 points at Memphis on Feb. 24, 2013. Overall it marked the 19th 30-point game at the school.
  
HISTORIC POINT PRODUCTION ON THE ROAD
UTEP erupted for 92 points in the double overtime win at Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 29. It marked just the second 90+ point effort in a road game in program history. The only other occasion the Miners achieved the feat came way back on Nov. 28, 1976, in a 107-37 win against a team from Fort Bliss.
 
HIGH SCORING AFFAIR
UTEP and Cal State Fullerton combined for 183 points in the double overtime thriller on Dec. 29. That marks the sixth-most combined points in a game in program history.
 
BIG-TIME FIRST HALF
UTEP set season highs for first quarter (24), second quarter (24) and first half (48) scoring outputs in the eventual 92-91 double overtime win at Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 29.
 
UTEP FALLS AT TULANE, 67-56, IN TITLE TILT OF 22ND-ANNUAL TULANE CLASSIC (at Tulane 67, UTEP 56, 12/22/17)
The UTEP women's basketball team was knocked off by host Tulane, 67-56, in the championship contest of the 22nd-annual Tulane Classic inside historic Fogelman Arena on Dec. 22. The Miners trailed by just three (21-18) after the first quarter but the Green Wave opened up the second frame on an 11-0 run to grab control of the contest. UTEP continued to battle as the game wore on but could never get closer than nine points the rest of the way. Katarina Zec tallied 14 points to pace the Orange and Blue, who finished at 36.2 percent (21-58) from the floor. UTEP won the rebounding battle (43-38) for the 11th time in as many contests but it wasn't enough to offset the 40 percent (27-68) shooting by the Green Wave. Tulane was paced by 22 points by Kolby Morgan, but needed 23 field goal attempts to do so. Jordan Jenkins added a career-high seven points while Zuzanna Puc (nine points), Roeshonda Patterson (eight points), Tamara Seda (six points, eight rebounds) also contributed for the Orange and Blue. 
 
UTEP STIFLES SAMFORD, 46-33,  (UTEP 46, vs. Samford 33, 12/21/17)
UTEP turned in its best defensive effort of the year in an impressive 46-33 victory against Samford in its opening game of the 22nd-annual Tulane Classic inside historic Fogelman Arena on Dec. 21. The Miners advance to challenge host Tulane in the championship contest of the classic at 2 p.m. MST/3 p.m. CST Friday while the Bulldogs will play Troy in the consolation tilt after having their three-game winning streak snapped. UTEP set season bests for fewest points allowed (33) and defensive field-goal percentage (20.8 percent). That defensive field-goal percentage ranks as the sixth best in program history. The Miners never trailed in the contest, and at one point led by as many as 26 (44-18), which is their biggest advantage of the campaign. UTEP was up 19-9 at the break. It marked the first time that the Miners held an opponent to fewer than 10 points in a half since keeping NM State to eight on Nov. 29, 2011. The Orange and Blue ended any aspirations of a comeback by Samford after they started the second half on a 10-0 run. Najala Howell tallied 12 points to go along with eight rebounds to lead the way for the Miners. Roeshonda Patterson (eight points, career-high four rebounds), Zuzanna Puc (eight points, four rebounds), Tamara Seda (seven points, eight boards) and Jordan Alexander (seven points, seven rebounds, four charges) also got after it for the Orange and Blue. The Miners finished at 34.0 percent (16-47) from the floor, aided by a sizzling 61.5 percent (8-13) during the third quarter. UTEP also won the rebounding battle (49-30) for the 10th time in as many tilts this season.
 
STRANGE WIN
UTEP secured a win when scoring 50 points or less in the game for the first time since doing so twice in the 2012-13 season. Additionally it marked the second-largest margin of victory (13 points) in a contest when the Miners were held to 50 points or less. Overall the Miners are now 16-156 in contests when tallying 50 points or less.
 
UTEP SHOOTS PAST EAST CAROLINA, 93-79, IN OVERTIME (UTEP 93, East Carolina 79, (OT) 12/17/17)
Six different players reached double figures in scoring and UTEP connected on a school-record 42 free throws to power past former Conference USA foe East Carolina, 93-79, in overtime in a neutral site contest as part of the Carolinas Challenge on Dec. 17. The Pirates buried a triple to take a 78-75 lead 21 seconds into OT but the Miners finished the contest on an incredible 18-1 run to halt ECU's five-game winning streak. UTEP went 13-14 from the charity stripe in the OT period to cap a record-setting day at the free-throw line. Overall the Miners nailed a program-best 42 free throws on 50 attempts (third most at school). UTEP also shot 50 percent (23-46) from the floor and won the boards (40-33), which helped compensate for 23 turnovers. Faith Cook poured in a career-high 16 points to share the team lead in scoring with Tamara Seda. Najala Howell proved big with her second-career double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) while junior Jordan Alexander tallied a career-high tying 15 points to go along with eight boards. Zuzanna Puc pitched in a season-high 16 points off the pine and Katarina Zec overcame early foul trouble to also hit double figures in scoring (11 points). Howell was a perfect 10-10 at the charity stripe while Cook (8-10), Alexander (7-10), Seda (6-6), Zec (6-6) and Puc (4-5) also took care of business at the line.
 
UTEP UPENDED AT NM STATE, 76-68 (at NM State 76, UTEP 68, 12/10/17)
Katarina Zec poured in a career-high 22 points while matching the program record for 3-pointers with seven but homestanding NM State downed UTEP, 76-68, inside the Pan-American Center on Dec. 10. The Miners led by one (34-33) at the half before the Aggies used a huge third quarter (25-13) to surge into the lead. The margin swelled to as many as 15 (67-52) before UTEP eventually struck back with a 7-0 run to cut it to seven (69-62) but it was too little too late. Both squads shot well from the floor (UTEP 44.8 percent, NM State 45.3 percent) while also nailing 12 three pointers each, but NM State converted 21 UTEP turnovers into 23 points to create some separation. Conversely NM State's 11 giveaways led to seven UTEP points. The Miners tried to make up for it by winning the boards (40-31) for the eighth time in as many games, which resulted in a 12-4 cushion in second chance points, but it wasn't enough. Tamara Seda joined Zec in double figures with 12 points while junior Jordan Alexander flirted with a double-double (eight points, career-high 11 rebounds). Najala Howell and Roeshonda Patterson each finished with nine in the game.
 
UTEP EDGED AT ARKANSAS STATE, 76-73 (at Arkansas State 76, UTEP 73 (12/5/17)
Tamara Seda (19 points, 16 rebounds), Najala Howell (17 points) and Roeshonda Patterson (career-high 17 points) all reached double figures in scoring but UTEP was edged at Arkansas State, 76-73, on Dec. 5. The Red Wolves set opponent season highs for points (76) and field-goal percentage (49.2) to help them rally past the Miners. UTEP was up 44-36 at the half but A-State used a huge third quarter (24-11) to surge into the lead and the Miners could never recover. They went down fighting, though, whittling a nine-point deficit (72-63) down to three on a pair of occasions but couldn't quite complete the comeback. The Orange and Blue connected on 42.9 percent (27-63) from the floor while also winning the boards (43-27) but couldn't get enough stops to pull off the win. UTEP's 73 points establish a season high.  Seda has now recorded five straight double-doubles, the longest such streak by a Miner in non-conference play since at least 1982-83 (prior records incomplete). 
 
UTEP SINKS HBU, 69-62 (at UTEP 69, HBU 62 (12/2/17)
Senior Tamara Seda recorded her fourth straight double-double (18 points, 16 rebounds) while junior Najala Howell poured in a season-high tying 19 points to help lead UTEP to a 69-62 victory against HBU at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 2. The Huskies led 31-26 at the half but the Miners came alive after the break to post the come-from-behind win to close out the season-opening six-game homestand in style. The game featured eight ties and seven lead changes, with the final one coming down the stretch when UTEP peeled off nine straight points-all on treys- to turn a one-point deficit (57-56) into their largest lead of the contest (65-57). HBU scored the next five points but the Miners put the game out of reach with a Jordan Alexander jumper with 21 seconds to play. UTEP set season highs for 3-pointers made (10), attempted (21) and percentage (47.6), including going 6-8 from distance in the final frame to help complete the comeback. The Miners also won the boards (44-32) while holding HBU to 38.1 percent (24-63) from the floor, including 19.0 percent (4-21) from distance. Sophomore Roeshonda Patterson provided a spark off the bench with a career-high matching 11 points to join Howell and Seda in double figures. Freshman Jordan Jenkins pitched in a personal-best six points to go along with six assists.

UTEP SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF SEASON VS. (RV) NEW MEXICO (New Mexico 59, at UTEP 35 (11/30/17)
UTEP held New Mexico to 59 points-30 below its average- but couldn't get enough shots to fall in a 59-35 setback at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 30. The undefeated Lobos, who are receiving votes for both top-25 polls, were limited to 39.7 percent (23-58) from the floor and 33.0 percent (12-36) from distance but they overcame through a physical defensive effort that gave the Miners fits. UTEP shot 25.0 percent (11-44) in the game while being harassed into 25 turnovers that led to 22 UNM points. The Miners won the battle of the boards, 44-31, but it wasn't enough to compensate for the off shooting night. Senior Tamara Seda recorded her third straight double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds) to pace UTEP while sophomore Katarina Zec added nine points. Sophomore Zuzanna Puc came off the bench to contribute five points and a season-high eight rebounds. Sophomore Roeshonda Patterson also pitched in five points and sophomore Faith Cook registered a career-high seven boards.
 
UTEP GRINDS OUT 65-55 WIN VS. TEXAS SOUTHERN (at UTEP 65, Texas Southern 55 (11/25/17)
Junior Najala Howell (16 points, 10 rebounds) and senior Tamara Seda (13 points, 13 rebounds) each posted double-doubles to help UTEP notch a hard-fought 65-55 win against Texas Southern in the final game of the sixth-annual UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 25. The Miners never trailed in the contest and used a 10-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to break the game's one and only tie (48-48, 5:20 4Q) in decisive fashion. UTEP held the Lady Tigers, who have averaged 20 wins the past five years, to 38.8 percent shooting (19-49) while also crushing them on the boards (46-25). Playing a big role in the rebounding margin was a season-high 21 offensive rebounds which led to 21 second-chance points for the home side.  The Miners connected on 34.0 percent (18-53) of their shots but they more than made up for that with their rebounding and defensive efforts, in addition to setting season bests for free-throws made (26), attempted (33) and percentage (.788). In fact the Orange and Blue were 16-17 at the charity stripe in the pressure-packed fourth quarter. Sophomore Katarina Zec chipped in 10 points, her third straight game in double figures, while also grabbing a career-high eight rebounds. Junior Jordan Alexander registered 13 points and six caroms while sophomore Roeshonda Patterson provided a spark off the best with a season-high seven points and career-high matching three rebounds.
 
UTEP TAKES DOWN SEC FOE ARKANSAS, 64-61 (at UTEP 64, Arkansas 61 (11/24/17)
UTEP posted a wire-to-wire 64-61 victory against Southeastern Conference foe Arkansas in its opening game of the sixth-annual UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 24. The Miners raced out to a 13-2 lead four minutes in, were up 18 (38-20) at half and 16 (52-36) through three quarters before withstanding a furious rally attempt by the Razorbacks. UA managed to whittle UTEP's advantage all the way down to one (62-61) but sophomore Faith Cook hit a fade away jumper to beat the shot clock with eight seconds left in the game to put the Miners back up by three. The visitor's Devin Cosper then misfired on a triple at the other end. Tamara Seda notched a double-double (career-high tying 20 points, 10 rebounds) to lead UTEP, but she was buoyed by 14 points and eight rebounds from Najala Howell and 10 points and six boards by Katarina Zec. Jordan Jenkins did her part with a career-high seven assists while Zuzanna Puc pitched in eight points and four boards in 15 minutes off the bench in her 2017-18 debut. UTEP connected on better than 50.0 percent (50.8 percent, 27-53) from the floor for the third straight game, something it hasn't done to start a season since at least 1981-82 (prior stats incomplete). The Miners also defended tirelessly, holding Arkansas to 30.0 percent (21-70) from the floor. The Razorbacks jacked up 41 3-point shots, but only made 11, for a readout of 26.8 percent. The Orange and Blue took care of business on the boards, winning the rebounding battle to the tune of 51-27. Helping that figure was 40 defensive boards, the most against a division I opponent since also securing 40 against Tulane on March 8, 2013. An area of concern for UTEP was turnovers (23) which led to 22 Arkansas points. But the Orange and Blue compensated for that by the dominance in other areas, in addition to holding a 38-18 advantage in points in the paint.
 
TAKING DOWN A POWER PROGRAM
UTEP downed Arkansas, 64-61, on Nov. 24 to secure its first win in program history against an SEC opponent. Overall it is UTEP's initial regular-season victory against a power-five conference foe since it crushed Kansas State, 84-39, on Nov. 16, 2013. The Miners are now 11-53 all time vs. teams from a power five conference (at point of match-up), but they are 7-10 since 2012-13.
 
UTEP CRUISES PAST TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI, 69-49
at UTEP 69, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 49 (11/18/17)
UTEP played well in all facets off the game in a convincing 69-49 victory against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 18. The Miners shot 54.3 percent (25-46) from the floor while stifling the Islanders to a readout of 31.1 percent (19-61), including 4-15 (26.7 percent) from distance. UTEP won the boards (38-30), racked up 19 assists compared to 14 turnovers and led for the majority of the contest. Najala Howell paced the Orange and Blue with 19 points-one shy of a personal best- while also dishing out a career-high seven assists. Katarina Zec (12 points), Tamara Seda (11 points) and Jakeira Ford (10 points) all joined her in double figures for scoring while Jordan Alexander pitched in seven points.  Four different Miners grabbed at least five rebounds, with Ford leading the way with six caroms.  UTEP led by two (14-12) after the first quarter before outscoring the visitors 35-16 over the next two frames to blow open the game.
 
UTEP RALLIES PAST CSU BAKERSFIELD IN OPENER, 67-56
at UTEP 67, CSU Bakersfield 56 (11/11/17)
UTEP used a huge fourth quarter to rally past CSU Bakersfield, 67-56, in the 2017-18 season opener for both squads at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 11. The Roadrunners led by eight (45-37) through three quarters of action but the Miners opened up the final frame on an 13-1 run to help fuel a dominant 30-11 advantage over the last 10 minutes of action. Senior Tamara Seda (20 points), junior Jordan Alexander (15 points) and sophomore Faith Cook (14 points) each established career highs to lead the way for the Miners, who were victorious in head coach Kevin Baker's Division I coaching debut. Junior Najala Howell (10 points) also reached double digits in scoring for UTEP, which nailed 51.2 percent (21-41) from the floor and 42.9 percent (6-14) from beyond-the-arc. Alexander, who played her freshman year at DI Louisiana before transferring to Trinity Valley, grabbed a personal-best 10 boards for her first career double-double while Seda added eight caroms. UTEP won the rebounding battle, 36-30, which was aided by a whopping 16-2 advantage in the fourth quarter. The Miners held CSUB to 32.8 percent (20-61) from the floor.
 
SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
After scoring 37 points through three quarters of action, the Miners erupted for 30 points over the final 10 minutes to erase an eight-point deficit and rally past CSU Bakersfield on Nov. 11. The 30 points are the most scored in the fourth quarter by the Miners in program history and rank tied for fifth-most points in a quarter overall at the school.
 
START IT OFF STRONG
UTEP improved to 24-20 all time in season openers, including 21-7 when doing so in El Paso. Overall in home openers, the Miners now stand 28-14 (missing outcomes in some years).
 
RECAPPING THE EXHIBITION SEASON
For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Miners played a pair of exhibition games to prepare for the regular season. UTEP split the contests, drilling NCAA Division III member Sul Ross State, 99-40, on Oct. 29, while falling to NCAA Division II member St. Mary's (Texas), 68-62, on Nov. 4. Katarina Zec (17.5 points per game) was the top point producer for the Miners but four others (Tamara Seda-16.5 ppg, Najala Howell-15.0 ppg, Jordan Alexander-11.0 ppg and Jakeira Ford-11.0 ppg) also averaged double figures in scoring. As a team UTEP shot 45.5 percent (56-123) from the floor while holding its foes to 30.9 percent (38-123). The Miners excelled at the free-throw line (35-42, 83.3 percent) and also dominated the rebounding department (51.0 rebounds per game to 27.5 opponent rebounds per game).