UTEP Miners

Game notes in pdf format

THE OPENING TIP

The UTEP women's basketball team (2-3) will hit the road for the first time on the season when it plays at Weber State (2-3) at 7 p.m. MT Wednesday. The Miners have dropped three straight contests by a total of seven points, the smallest combined differential during a three-game skid in program history. Most recently UTEP was edged by Abilene Christian, 70-69, on Nov. 24. WSU is 2-3 on the year overall, including 1-1 at home. It has dropped back-to-back games, including most recently being edged at UTSA, 66-59, on Nov. 25. The contest will be streamed online at the Big Sky website (https://bigskyconf.com/sports/2015/11/19/WatchBigSky.aspx)

 

GAME FORMAT

NCAA women's basketball games are 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 frame. Teams have four timeouts (three 30s, one 60), three of 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.

 

GET TO KNOW WEBER STATE (2-3 OVERALL; 1-1 HOME; 1-1 ROAD, 0-1 NEUTRAL)

Weber State is off to a 2-3 start on the year, including a mark of 1-1 at home. The Wildcats have dropped back-to-back games, including most recently being edged at UTSA, 66-59, on Nov. 25. WSU receives the bulk of its scoring from its starting five, as no reserve is producing more than 3.0 points per game. It has a balanced attack from its starters, with Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman (17.0 ppg, seventh Big Sky/111th NCAA), Kayla Watkins (16.0 ppg, ninth Big Sky/156th NCAA), Emily Drake (10.6 ppg) and Shianne Johnson (10.2 ppg) all in double figures for scoring. Welch-Coleman also is dishing out 5.2 assists per contest (fifth Big Sky/57th nation). Dominique Williams (6.6 ppg) also gets involved scoring. Watkins is the top rebounder (9.6 rpg, third Big Sky/58th NCAA), including 5.0 offensive boards per game (second Big Sky/12th NCAA). Williams (8.6 rpg, fourth Big Sky/99th NCAA) and reserve Ciara James (6.2 rpg) are productive on the glass too, helping WSU pile up 43.0 rebounds per game (third Big Sky/56th NCAA).  It also is in the upper echelon of its league and among the top-100 nationally in fewest turnovers per game (14.4, second/68th), free-throw percentage (72.6, second/74th), assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.03, fourth/81st), turnover margin (+3.40, third/87th), 3-pointers attempted (125, third/96th) and fewest personal fouls per game (sixth/100th). WSU went 21-11 last year, making its second appearance in the WBI. Notable WSU alumni include Damian Lillard (NBA, Trailblazers) and Alan Stock (CEO of Cinemark Theatres).

 

HE SAID IT (COACH BAKER ON WEBER STATE)

"Weber State will be a tough road match for us. They're led by Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman and Kayla Watkins, a point guard and a forward that are as good as anybody that we've seen thus far in their respective positions. We're just excited to get on the road and play a road contest to see how tough we are. We know it will take toughness to win on the road."

 

THE SERIES (TIED, 3-3 OVERALL; WEBER STATE LEADS, 2-0, IN OGDEN)

The series is tied, 3-3, with the most-recent meeting resulting in a 70-58 UTEP victory on Nov. 27, 2009. This will be the third trip for UTEP to Ogden, but first in 40 years when both schools were members of the Intermountain Athletic Conference for women's basketball. The Wildcats downed the Miners, 72-58, on Feb. 25, 1978, while also toppling them, 61-49, on Jan. 11, 1976.

 

LAST MEETING WITH WSU (AT UTEP 70, WEBER STATE 58, NOVEMBER 27, 2009)

Jareica Hughes became the program's all-time leading scorer as UTEP downed Weber State, 70-58, in the first game of the 2009 UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 27, 2009. The Miners bolted out to a 9-0 lead and never looked back en route to the wire-to-wire victory. Hughes moves past former Miner-and teammate for that matter- Izabela Piekarska (1,251 points from 2004-08) and one of the school's all-time greats Be Stoney (1,249 from 1977-81). She now owns the school standards for career assists (474), points (1,256 ) and steals (230), while rating second  in individual wins (71) and free-throws made (295). The senior turned in a solid effort across the board, leading her squad in points (13) and assists (6) in 28 minutes of action. She had plenty of help, though, with Briana Green (12 points), Timika Williams (10 points, eight boards) and Dietra Caldwell (10 points, five rebounds) all reaching double figures in scoring.

           

GOING BACK IN TIME (ABILENE CHRISTIAN 70, AT UTEP 69, 11/24/18)

Ariona Gill poured in a career-high 22 points while Zuzanna Puc added 18 points but visiting Abilene Christian outlasted UTEP, 70-69, in the final game of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 24. The Miners trailed the Wildcats by as many as 15 (23-8) in the opening quarter but they slowly but surely chipped away at the deficit. UTEP reduced the margin to seven (37-30) at the break before managing to take a one-point edge (50-49) heading to the fourth quarter. It was a back-and-fourth battle down the stretch, with ACU going back on top for good with a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left. An unlucky pass led to Gill having to race down the ball before heaving up a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer. UTEP drilled 52.5 percent (31-59) from the floor while also committing the fewest turnovers (nine) of the Kevin Baker era but ACU was locked in offensively as well. The Wildcats drilled 51.1 percent (24-47) of their shots, including draining 14-28 (50.0) from beyond-the-arc. They also won the boards, 29-23. Katarina Zec pitched in 11 points to join Gill and Puc in double figures. Four different Miners registered five assists each to help UTEP pile up a season-best 24 assists. Dominique Golightly (18 points) and Makayla Mabry (17 points) led the way for ACU. The duo combined to make 10-17 from 3-point range. 

 

POUNDING IT IN THE PAINT

UTEP attacked Abilene Christian down low, piling up 50 points in the paint. It marked the first time that the Miners have amassed that many points in the paint against a DI opponent since also tallying 50 in an 83-62 home win against FIU on Feb. 8, 2014.

 

GIVEAWAYS DROPPING RAPIDLY

UTEP took another step in the right direction with ball security against Abilene Christian (Nov. 24) by committing the fewest turnovers (nine) of the Kevin Baker era. The Miners had their most giveaways (27) under Baker in the season opener against Alcorn State (Nov. 10), but they have reduced that figure in each of the subsequent contests. It was 19 against CSUB (Nov. 14), 14 vs. NM State (Nov. 17), 13 against Nicholls State (Nov. 23) and nine vs. ACU last time out.

 

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

During UTEP's three-game skid, it has trailed by double digits during the first half in each of the contests. That's a troubling trend, but on the upside the Miners have fought back every time. UTEP rallied from down 13 (18-5, 1:18 1Q) against NM State (Nov. 17) to pull even at 56-56 (3:03 4Q) before falling by four, 69-65. Against Nicholls State (Nov. 23) the Orange and Blue battled back from trailing by 17 (28-11, 2:56, 2Q) to actually leading by three (45-42, 7:44 4Q) only to be edged, 58-56. Most recently the Miners faced a 15-point deficit (23-8, end 1Q) against Abilene Christian (Nov. 24), but struck back to hold a two-point cushion (69-67, 00:37, 4Q) before the visitors prevailed, 70-69.

 

DEFENDING WITHOUT FOULING

The Miners have been tagged for a total of 57 fouls (14.3 fpg), a stark contrast to the 96 infractions (24.0 fpg) called on the opposition. One direct impact has been UTEP having more makes at the free throw line than opponent attempts. The Miners are 63-97 from the charity stripe compared to their foes standing 34-46 

 

THREE-HEADED ATTACK

Three different Miners are in double figures for scoring average. Zuzanna Puc paces the team at 14.6 ppg (13th C-USA, 249th NCAA), followed by Ariona Gill (12.0 ppg, 15th C-USA) and Katarina Zec (10.5 ppg, tied 29th C-USA). The trio is responsible for 11 of the 14 double-digit scoring efforts on the season. Gill and Puc share the team lead (four), followed by Zec (three). Jordan Alexander, Alexa Hoy and Jordan Jenkins each have one double-digit scoring game to their credit.

 

SHARING IS CARING

UTEP is producing 17.8 assists per contest (second C-USA/32nd NCAA), with Jordan Jenkins leading the way at 3.4 assists per game (tied seventh C-USA). The Miners have posted at least 20 helpers in three different tilts to match the total such efforts in 2017-18. UTEP dished out a season-high 24 assists against Abilene Christian, with four different Miners registering five assists.

 

TALKING PLAYING TIME

Nine different Miners are logging at least 10.0 minutes per game, with starters Zuzanna Puc (31.4 mpg), Ariona Gill (31.0 mpg) and Katarina Zec (29.2 mpg) carrying the heaviest workload. 

 

WORTH THE WAIT

Ariona Gill, who sat out last year as a redshirt, has already established herself as an impact player for the Miners. She is second on the team in scoring (14.0 ppg, tied 15th C-USA), minutes played (31.0 mpg) and offensive boards (nine) while ranking third in rebounding (4.2 rpg). Gill has proven to be effective at getting to the line. She leads the team in free throws made (18) and attempts (26).

 

PUC POWER

Zuzanna Puc paces the Miners in scoring (14.6 ppg, 13th C-USA/249th NCAA), rebounding (7.6 rpg, sixth C-USA/179th NCAA), minutes played (31.4 mpg, 10th C-USA) and double-doubles (two). She has connected on 32-47 from the floor for a readout of 68.1 percent (second C-USA/seventh NCAA). Puc has tallied at least eight points in all five games, and shares the team lead in double-digit scoring efforts (four) with redshirt-junior Ariona Gill.

 

UTEP IN THE RANKINGS

UTEP is in the upper echelon of C-USA and among the top-100 nationally for fewest fouls per game (13.6, first/21st), assists per game (17.8, second/32nd), assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.09, third/57th), field-goal percentage (43.7, sixth/81st) and rebound margin (+5.8, third/84th).

 

INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Zuzanna Puc is in the C-USA/NCAA rankings in field-goal percentage (68.1, second/seventh),  rebounds per game (7.6, sixth/179th) and points per game (14.6, 13th/249th). She is also tied for third in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.0), and 10th for minutes per game (31.4). Katarina Zec is tied third in C-USA and 56th nationally for free-throw percentage (88.9). She is also tied for sixth in the conference for defensive rebounds per game (5.2), has a share of 18th for rebounds per game (5.8) and is tied for 29th in points per game (10.6). .Jordan Jenkins checks in fourth in C-USA and 71st nationally for assist-to-turnover ratio (2.43). She is also tied seventh in the league for assists per game (3.4 apg). Ariona Gill is tied for 15th in C-USA in scoring (14.0 ppg).

 

THE BAKER FILE (OVERALL: 363-148, COLLEGE: 141-47, UTEP: 19-17)

Kevin Baker is in his second year (19-17) at the helm of the UTEP women's basketball team. He is in his 17th year overall (363-148) as a head coach, including his seventh season (141-47) as a college head coach. He has a unique background which has seen him rise through the coaching ranks from the high school level, to NCAA Division III, then NCAA Division II and now his NCAA Division I position at UTEP. He has set school records for wins at every previous stop of his career, and has taken every prior school to the postseason with a total of five district championships. He is an eight-time Coach of the Year. In his most-recent posts prior to UTEP, Baker's teams captured back-to-back conference championships at UT-Tyler and Angelo State. Baker led both a Division II (Angelo State) and Division III (UT-Tyler) school to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

 

BAKER'S FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS

Kevin Baker set the school record for most wins (17-14) by a first-year Miner head coach in 2017-18, but that doesn't even begin to tell the whole story. The seven previous first-year head coaches had an average combined record of 8-17. Carol Ammermann (11-5, 1974-75) and Janet Wood (11-16, 1979-80) shared the school mark for wins (11). Baker obliterated that figure while also joining Ammermann as the lone individuals to experience a winning season in year one at UTEP. Furthermore, Baker became the initial first-year Miner head coach to taste victory at the league tournament.

 

CHANCE AT MORE HISTORY

If the Miners can finish above .500 (currently 2-3) Kevin Baker would become the first coach in program history to post winning records in each of their opening two seasons. Carol Ammermann went 11-5 in 1974-75, but slipped to 6-11 the ensuing year. Baker is the eighth head coach in program history.

 

WINNING NUMBERS UNDER BAKER

The Miners are 8-1 under Kevin Baker ( 1-1 this year) when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor. Other notable records in the Baker era include being 14-5 (1-1 in '18-19) when tied or leading after three quarters, 9-1 (1-0 this year) when scoring 70+ points and 8-2 (1-1 this season) when drilling better than 40 percent from 3-point range (min. four makes).

 

45 YEARS AND COUNTING

The 2018-19 season marks the 45th in program history. The 1974-75 squad, the inaugural one at UTEP, will be honored in the Miners' game against WKU on Feb. 2, 2019. The 1974-75 finished 11-5, including 8-1 in El Paso.

 

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2018-19 MINERS

UTEP returned four letter winners (Jordan Alexander-8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, Jordan Jenkins-2.0 ppg, 1.4 apg, Zuzanna Puc-9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and Katarina Zec-9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) from last year's squad (17-14, 7-9 C-USA). Also back are a pair of players (Ariona Gill and Neidy Ocuane) who sat out last year as redshirts. The Miners also added six newcomers (Eliana Cabral, freshman guard, Alexa Hoy, sophomore guard, Sabine Lipe, freshman guard, Jade Rochelle, junior guard/forward, Conchi Satorre, freshman point guard and Ariana Taylor, freshman forward), but Cabral is slated to take a redshirt year in 2018-19. The squad is under the direction of second-year head coach Kevin Baker, who is assisted by Lori Morris, Michael Madrid and Kayla Weaver.  

 

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR

Half (6-12) of the Miners' roster in 2018-19 is comprised of international players. It is the largest such ratio (50 percent) in program history Eliana Cabral (Portugal), Sabine Lipe (Latvia), Neidy Ocuane (Mozambique),Zuzanna Puc (Poland), Conchi Satorre (Spain) and Katarina Zec (Serbia) give UTEP a distinct international flavor this season. 

 

TEXAS STRONG

The Miners feature five native Texans (Jordan Alexander, Dallas, Alexa Hoy, Rockwall, Jordan Jenkins, Tennessee Colony, Jade Rochelle, Grandview and Ariana Taylor, Houston) on the roster. The only other American on the team (Ariona Gill) hails from Las Vegas, Nev.

 

SHARING THE LEADERSHIP

For the third straight season the Miners features a squad with just one senior (Jordan Alexander). She is far from alone in terms of leadership, with five juniors (Ariona Gill, Neidy Ocuane, Zuzanna Puc, Jade Rochelleand Katarina Zec) on the roster. Puc and Zec have earned a pair of letters for the Miners. Gill and Ocuane sat out last season as redshirts, while Rochelle is a transfer from Blinn College. 

 

FOURTH BEST IN TEXAS SINCE 2006-07

The Miners have the fourth-highest winning percentage and fourth-most victories among all DI programs in the state of Texas since 2006-07. Power conference members Baylor (388-53, 88.0%), Texas A&M (313-109, 74.2%) and Texas (268-140, 65.7%) lead the way followed by the Miners (248-137, 64.4%). Lamar (236-145, 61.9%), Stephen F. Austin (231-147, 61.1%), TCU (226-165, 57.8%), Prairie View A&M (205-179, 53.4), SMU (200-179, 52.8%), and Texas Tech (189-197, 49.0%) round out the top 10. 

 

SPECIAL RUN

The Miners are 148-83 since the start of the 2011-12 season (2-3 this year), with 86 double-digit victories in that time frame. UTEP has played postseason basketball three times during the stretch, 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). The Orange and Blue have enjoyed 15 separate winning streaks of at least three games during that time frame. 

 

HOME SWEET HOME

UTEP has an all-time home record of 362-222, including standing 2-3 in the Don Haskins Center in 2018-19. The Miners have amassed a record of 164-48 at home since 2006-07, including 97-31 since 2011-12. Aiding that 95-28 mark was a school-record (winning percentage) 19-1 home record in 2015-16. UTEP has been particularly strong in nonconference play, standing 82-15 in the Sun City in such contests since 2006-07. 

 

TRAVEL TIME

UTEP is 144-363 all time on the road, including finishing 5-8 in 2017-18. When playing at a neutral site the Miners stand 60-79, including 3-1 last year. Since the start of the 2006-07 season UTEP is 60-68 on the road, including 36-37 since 2011-12. Wednesday's match-up at Weber State is the first road contest of the 2018-19 season.

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

UTEP juniors Zuzanna Puc and Katarina Zec are starting to sprinkle their names in the UTEP career records. Zec is tied for 19th in 3-pointers made (63), tied for 21st in career games started (55) and tied for 22nd in 3-pointers attempted (195). Puc is tied for 15th in blocked shots (38) and 47th in points (535).

 

BASIC FACTS ON UTEP

UTEP is 566-665 in its 45th season as a women's basketball program, including standing 2-3 in 2018-19. 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, cutting down the nets in 2012 and falling in 2008. There have been six 20+ win seasons (all since 2006-07), 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 seven 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 (most recent 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. 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 was founded in 1914. Notable alumni include former ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson, well-respected and former NFL referee Ed Hochuli, former NASA astronaut Danny Olivas engineer & Dennis Poon, who designed Taipei 101 & some of the tallest buildings in the world.

 

QUICK 2017-18 YEAR IN REVIEW

The Miners compiled an overall record of 17-14 (7-9 in C-USA play, 9-4 in nonconference action) to surge past the 2016-17 team's overall victory total (8-23) by nine wins while also exceeding the number of league victories (5-13 C-USA). UTEP also won a game at the C-USA tournament, and it even led top-seed UAB by five points late in the third quarter before ultimately succumbing, 75-66, on March 8, 2018.

 

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Fans are encouraged to connect with the Miners on Facebook (UTEP Women's Basketball), Instagram (@utepwbb) and Twitter (@UTEPWBB). 

 

NEXT UP

The Miners return home to square off against Arkansas State at 1 p.m. MT Saturday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling 915-747-5234.

 

CLIFF NOTES ON THE 2018-19 SEASON

COMEBACK BID FALLS SHORT TO NICHOLLS (NICHOLLS STATE 58, AT UTEP 56, 11/23/18)

Ariona Gill (14 points) and Jordan Alexander (season-high 12 points) hit double figures in scoring as UTEP rallied back from a 17-point second-quarter deficit to regain the lead several occasions in the fourth quarter only to have visiting Nicholls State pull out a 58-56 win as part of the UTEP Thanksgiving Classic at the Don Haskins Center Friday afternoon. The Miners (2-2) trailed 28-11 with 2:56 to play in the second period but they refused to quit against the Colonels (1-4). The home side used a huge third quarter (23-12) to get back within striking distance heading to the final frame. UTEP continued its push in the fourth quarter, going up by three (45-42) with 7:44 left. Nicholls State countered with eight straight points to vault out by five (50-45) before the Miners tallied the next six points to jump ahead by one (51-50). It was a seesaw battle the rest of the way, with a pair of free throws from Cassidy Barrios providing the seventh and final lead change with 52 seconds left. UTEP had a chance to tie or win it with two seconds left, but was unable to get a shot off.  Barrios produced a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the way for Nicholls State. She was supported by a nine-point effort from Kinzie Heineman. UTEP connected 42.6 percent (20-47) from the floor, including 8-20 on 3-pointers, while also committing a season-low 13 turnovers but issues elsewhere doomed the home side. The Miners were 8-17 on free throws and were outrebounded, 34-27.

 

BOMBS AWAY

The Miners nailed a season-high eight 3-pointers in the setback vs. Nicholls State (11/23). Leading the charge was senior Jordan Alexander, who drilled a career-best four treys on five attempts on the way to a season-best 12 points. 

 

UTEP RALLY FALLS SHOT TO NM STATE (NM STATE 69, AT UTEP 65, 11/17/18)

Zuzanna Puc registered her second straight double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) and UTEP battled valiantly but its comeback bid came up short in a 69-65 defeat to NM State in the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10 at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 17. The Miners dug themselves an 18-5 hole nine minutes into the game, allowing the four-time defending WAC regular-season champion Aggies a much greater cushion than they needed. UTEP went to work, reducing the deficit to eight (30-22) at the break. The margin remained eight (53-45) with 7:14 remaining in regulation before the Miners uncorked an 11-3 surge to finally pull even at 56 with 3:03 left. NM State didn't flinch, countering with 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to extend its advantage back to six (62-56). UTEP inched within three (64-61) with 1:08 left but the Aggies put the game away by nailing their eighth and final triple of the contest. Katarina Zec (14 points), Ariona Gill (14 points) and Alexa Hoy (career-high 13 points) joined Puc in double figures for scoring. Neidy Ocuane got involved as well, setting career bests for points (five), rebounds (five) and assists (three).

 

UTEP GRINDS OUT WIN VS. CSUB (AT UTEP 53, CSU BAKERSFIELD 47, 11/14/18)

Zuzanna Puc registered her fifth career double-double (12 points, personal-best tying 12 rebounds), and the defense did the rest in UTEP's 53-47 win against CSU Bakersfield at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 14. The Miners held the Roadrunners to 28.8 percent (17-59) from the field, while also winning the rebounding battle (46-34) in the tightly-contested ballgame. UTEP outscored CSUB, 19-9, in the final frame to rally back from a four-point deficit (38-34) through 30 minutes of action. There were six ties and eight lead changes, with the final with coming during a 9-0 Miner run in the fourth quarter. The surge, which spanned roughly five minutes, turned a 41-36 deficit into a 45-41 advantage. UTEP never relinquished the lead from that point. The biggest shot was a 3-pointer by Neidy Ocuane, which proved to be the lone triple (1-20) of the game for the Orange and Blue. CSUB did fight back to tie the contest, 47-47, but the Miners pitched a shutout over the final 2:18. Katarina Zecconnected on 6-8 at the charity stripe in that sequence to give the home side just enough to pull out the win. Zec finished with nine points and eight boards to support Puc, while Jordan Alexander contributed eight points and a quartet of rebounds. Sophomore Jordan Jenkins added six points and a career-high tying five boards. The Roadrunners were led by 13 points and 12 boards from Malayasia McHenry. CSUB's Alexxus Gilbert and Jazmine Johnson were held to a total of 14 points on a combined 4-16 shooting. The duo entered the contest contributing 29.5 ppg on a combined 22-49 from the floor. 

 

UTEP DOWNS ALCORN STATE IN OPENER (AT UTEP 77, ALCORN STATE 51, 11/10/18)

Zuzanna Puc poured in 18 points to pace a quartet of players in double figures as the UTEP women's basketball team cruised to a 77-51 season-opening win vs. Alcorn State on Nov. 10. Ariona Gill (15 points), Jordan Jenkins(career-high 11 points, six assists) and Katarina Zec (11 points, personal-best tying nine rebounds) also got after it for the Miners. UTEP connected on 52.6 percent (30-57) from the floor, tied for the sixth-best rebounding margin (+27, 48-21) in program history and racked up 23 assists on 30 made field goals. They held ASU to 30.2 percent (16-53) shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Conchi Satorre pitched in five points and a trio of boards in 10 minutes of action to lead the reserves in scoring. The Lady Braves scored the first two points of the contest on a jumper, but UTEP punched back with a 12-0 surge over the next five minutes. The home side never trailed again.

 

BIGGEST WIN UNDER COACH BAKER

UTEP's 26-point romp against Alcorn State served as its largest margin of victory under head coach Kevin Baker. The previous high was a 20-point differential (69-49) vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Nov. 18, 2017.

 

START IT UP

UTEP improved to 25-20 all time in season openers, including 21-7 when doing so in El Paso. The Miners are now 2-0 under Kevin Baker in season lidlifters.