UTEP Miners

GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT

THE OPENING TIP

The UTEP women's basketball team (2-5) will face a big challenge when it plays at regional rival New Mexico (5-1) at 7 p.m. MT Wednesday. The Miners have lost five straight games by five points or less for the first time in program history. Those setbacks have been by a total of 13 points, the smallest combined differential during a five-game skid at the school. In previous such skids, UTEP's average combined margin of defeat was 87 points. Meanwhile the Lobos stand 4-1 at home, most recently routing NM State, 83-58 (12/1/). Overall UNM has won four straight games. It is the second road game of the year for the Orange and Blue, who were edged at Weber State, 68-63, (11/28). The contest will broadcast locally on 600 ESPN El Paso with Duke Keith on the call. There will also be a live internet stream on the Mountain West Network.

 

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.

 

HE SAID IT (COACH BAKER ON NEW MEXICO)

"New Mexico is by far the best team we will face so far this season.  They are a very talented team with only one loss on the year.  We are looking forward to the challenge of playing at The Pit and we hope to match the energy they will bring to the game. Our team continues to get better each time we take the floor and we are confident that we will do the same at UNM."

 

THE SERIES (OVERALL: UNM 33-17;  IN ALBUQUERQUE: UNM, 20-5)

New Mexico leads the series, 33-17, aided by a mark of 20-5 when the two teams meet up in Albuquerque. UTEP lost its first 10 trips to The Pit before enjoying a stretch of winning three of four in the early 1990's. The Lobos have claimed nine of the past 10 contests held in Albuquerque, with the lone Miner victory in the stretch coming during the 2011-12 season (53-43, 12/10/11). This is the fifth straight year that UTEP and UNM will square off. The Lobos have claimed the past two contests, including a 59-35 decision at the Don Haskins Center on Nov. 30, 2017. The Miners are 5-4 vs. UNM since the 2007-08 season. The rivalry dates to inception of the Miners' program, with the schools squaring off at least once per year from 1974-75 through 1986-87. It resumed in 1991 and continued through 2001-02, which included a stretch when both programs were members of the WAC. 

 

GET TO KNOW NEW MEXICO (5-1 OVERALL; 4-0 HOME; 1-0 ROAD, 0-0 NEUTRAL)

New Mexico returned seven letter winners, but just one starter, from last year's team (25-11) that posted the second-most wins in the program's history. The Mountain West Conference members have picked up where they left off, racing out to a 5-1 record on the year, including 4-1 at home. The Lobos have peeled off four straight victories, including most recently trouncing NM State, 83-58 (12/1). UNM' high-octane offense is producing 80.6 points per game (first MWC/28th NCAA). It also is in the upper echelon of its conference and among the top-100 nationally for blocks per game (7.7, first/second), rebounds per game (47.0, first/13th), assists per game (19.0, first/17th), steals per game (12.5, second/25th), 3-pointers made per game (8.2, fourth/53rd), turnovers forced per game (20.0, fourth/61st), rebound margin (+6.2, first/67th), scoring margin (+11.5, third/75th), three-point percentage defense (27.1, second/75th) and field-goal percentage (43.1, third/84th). Jaisa Nunn has posted four double-doubles (first MWC/24th nation), aided by 18.0 ppg (1st MWC/68th NCAA) and 8.3 rpg (second MWC/117th NCAA). She is shooting 59.2 percent (first MWC/29th NCAA). Aisia Robertson (15.3 ppg, fifth MWC/182nd NCAA) and Jayla Everett (15.0 ppg, sixth MWC/202nd NCAA) have also been consistent scorers. Robertson paces the nation in assists per game (10.3). She is also among the league/national rankings for steals per game (2.5, third/86th) and minutes per game (34.6, fourth/100th). Nike McClure puts up 3.5 ppg, but makes her presence felt with her rebounding (7.8 rpg, fourth MWC/151st NCAA) and shot-blocking ability (3.3 bpg, first MWC/fourth NCAA). Ahlise Hurst is contributing 12.2 ppg, aided by nailing 3.0 triples per contest (second MWC/36th NCAA). She is 18 (third MWC/95th NCAA) of 50 (second MWC/104th NCAA) from distance on the season. The Lobos have a proud tradition with 16 postseason appearances (eight NCAA, six WNIT and two WBI) while amassing an all-time record of 643-535 since launching the program in 1974-75.  The University of New Mexico, located in Albuquerque, is the largest state school in New Mexico. It was founded in 1899. Notable alumni include Gary Berntsen (Former CIA Senior Operations Officer), Antoine Predock (Renowned architect who designed Petco Park, and Brian Urlacher (former All-Pro LB for Chicago Bears).

 

LAST MEETING WITH UNM (NEW MEXICO 59, AT UTEP 35, NOVEMBER 30, 2017)

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, 2017. 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.Tamara Seda recorded her third straight double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds) to pace UTEP while Katarina Zec added nine points. Zuzanna Puc came off the bench to contribute five points and a season-high eight rebounds. Roeshonda Patterson also pitched in five points and Faith Cookregistered a career-high seven boards. 

           

GOING BACK IN TIME (ARKANSAS STATE 67, AT UTEP 66, 12/1/18)

UTEP connected on 50 percent of its shots (23-46) and won the rebounding battle (37-31) but visiting Arkansas State escaped with a 67-66 win at the Don Haskins on Dec. 1. The Miners led by two (66-64) before Akasha Westbrook converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to put the Red Wolves up by one (67-66) with 13 seconds left. UTEP called timeout to advance the ball and looked to retake the lead but it wasn't in the cards as redshirt-junior Neidy Ocuane was called for a change with less than a second to play. UTEP had led by as many as 10 (37-27, 8:23 3Q) early in the second half, and the margin was still at five (48-43) going into the fourth quarter before A-State rallied. Redshirt-junior Ariona Gill (17 points), Alexander (13 points) and junior Zuzanna Puc (12 points) set the tone offensively for the Miners. Transfer Jade Rochelle pitched in eight points and a career-best nine rebounds in a personal-best 24 minutes played. UTEP held A-State to 38.7 percent (24-62) from the floor, including just 23.5 percent (4-17) from 3-point range. The visitors compensated for that by forcing 23 Miner turnovers that were converted into 27 points. Another factor was A-State, which entered the contest leading the nation in both free throws made and attempted, going 15-26 at the charity stripe. Included in that was a 12-22 effort in the second half. UTEP was 12-13 from the free-throw line, including 8-9 in the final 20 minutes. 

 

NEARLY PERFECT AT THE LINE

UTEP nailed 12-13 from the free-throw line against Arkansas State (12/1). It marked the ninth-highest percentage (92.3) in a single game at program history. Zuzanna Puc and Jade Rochelle keyed the efforts by both going 4-4.

 

BLOCK PARTY

UTEP was credited with its most blocked shots (eight) of theKevin Baker era in the setback against Arkansas State (12/1). Zuzanna Puc set the tone with a career-best four rejections.Ariona Gill also established a personal best with two blocks while Jordan Alexander and Jade Rochelle added one each. 

 

DEFENDING WITHOUT FOULING

The Miners are committing 14.6 fouls per game (first C-USA/28th NCAA), a stark contrast to the 20.0 fpg called on the opposition. Helping UTEP's foul average was being whistled for 1 personal fouls or less in three consecutive contests. (11/23-11/28) for the first time in program history. One direct impact has been UTEP having more makes at the free throw line than opponent attempts. The Miners are 88-125 from the charity stripe compared to their foes standing 69-98. 

 

PUTTING UP THE POINTS

Three different Miners are in double figures for scoring average. Zuzanna Puc and Ariona Gill share the team lead at 13.3 ppg (tied 14th C-USA) and Katarina Zec (10.7 ppg, 26th C-USA) is third on the squad. The trio is responsible for 14 of the 19 double-digit scoring efforts on the season. Puc leads the way with five followed by Zec and Gill with four. Jordan Alexander (three), Alexa Hoy (one) and Jordan Jenkins (one) round out the list. 

 

SHARING IS CARING

UTEP is producing 17.3 assists per contest (second C-USA/33rd NCAA). Jordan Jenkins leads the way at 3.4 assists per game (tied seventh C-USA), but post player Zuzanna Puc(2.9 apg, tied 14th C-USA) is making an impact with passing as well. UTEP's assist-to-turnover ratio stands at +1.09 (second C-USA/52nd NCAA). The Miners have posted at least 20 assist in three different games to match the total such efforts in 2017-18.

 

TALKING PLAYING TIME

Eight different players have appeared in every contest this year. Ariona Gill (31.4), Zuzanna Puc (31.3 mpg), and Katarina Zec (26.6 mpg) have started all seven games whileJordan Alexander (243 mpg) has six starts. 

 

UTEP IN THE RANKINGS

UTEP is in the upper echelon of C-USA and among the top-100 nationally for fewest fouls per game (14.6, first/28th), assists per game (17.3, second/33rd), assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.09, second/52nd), and rebound margin (+4.9, fourth/99th).

 

INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Zuzanna Puc is in the C-USA/NCAA rankings in field-goal percentage (60.0, tied third/25th) and rebounds per game (7.4, seventh/181st). She is also appears in the league leaders for offensive boards per game (2.9, sixth), blocks per game (0.9, 10th), assists per game (2.9, 14th) and points per game (13.3, tied 14th). Katarina Zec is sixth in C-USA and 33rd nationally for free-throw percentage (90.5). Zec also is among the conference leaders for points per game (10.7, 26th). Jordan Jenkins checks in fifth in C-USA and 80th nationally for assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2). She is also in the C-USA rankings for assists per game (3.4, tied seventh). Jordan Alexander is 10th in the league for 3-point percentage (43.5) and 20th in rebounding (5.6). Ariona Gill is tied for 14th in C-USA in scoring (13.3 ppg).

 

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

In four of UTEP's losses, it has trailed by double digits during the first half. That's a troubling trend, but on the upside the Miners have in all four of those games. UTEP was down 17 (27-10, 8:54 2Q) at Weber State (11/28) but climbed within two (43-41, 4:07 3Q) before falling by five (68-63). The Miners battled back from down 15 (23-8, end 1Q) against Abilene Christian (11/24) to lead by two (69-67, 00:37 4Q) before the visitors prevailed, 70-69. UTEP trailed by 17 (28-11, 2:56 2Q) against Nicholls State (11/23) to lead by as many as three (45-42, 7:44 4Q) and was up by one late (56-55, 1:24 4Q) only to be edged, 58-56. Against NM State the Miners climbed out of a 13-point hole (18-5, 1:18 1Q) to pull even (56-56, 3:03 4Q) before falling by four (69-65).

 

ELIMINATE THE FIRST QUARTER

Over the final three quarters of games this year, the Miners are outscoring the opposition by a combined count of 365-322. UTEP is shooting 44.4 percent (128-288) while holding its opponents to 38.8 percent (114-294) during the final 30 minutes of action. It is a different story, though, in the first quarter. UTEP has been outscored, 108-84, in the opening frame The Miners are hitting 33.7 percent (32-95) while allowing foes to connect on 44.6 percent (41-92) in the period. 

 

MORE QUARTER FACTS

The Miners have either won (16) or been even (five) in 21 of the 28 quarters this year. UTEP has been outscored in seven quarters this season, including just six times out of 20 quarters during the current five-contest skid. Most recently the Miners won the first three quarters against Arkansas State (12/1) only to have the visitors use a big final frame to claim the quarter and the contest. UTEP is now 17-4 in games that it won three of the quarters since the NCAA switched to the format for the 2015-16 season. The breakdown is 0-1 in 2018-19, 5-1 in 2017-18, 1-1 in 2016-17 and 11-1 in 2015-16.

 

WORTH THE WAIT

Ariona Gill, who sat out last year as a redshirt, has proven to be worth the wait. She leads the team in minutes per game (31.4 mpg) and free throws attempted (26) while sharing the top spot for scoring (13.3 ppg). Gill is second on the team in offensive rebounds (12), free throws made (18) and steals and places fourth in rebounding (4.3 rpg). 

 

PUC POWER

Zuzanna Puc paces the Miners in scoring (13.5 ppg, 16th C-USA), rebounding (7.2 rpg, tied fifth C-USA/224th NCAA), double-doubles (two) and field-goal percentage (61.4, fourth C-USA/18th NCAA). Puc is the lone player on the squad to have scored at least eight points in every game, and she shares the team lead in double-digit scoring efforts (four) with Ariona Gill and Katarina Zec.

 

THE BAKER FILE (OVERALL: 363-150, COLLEGE: 141-49, UTEP: 19-19)

Kevin Baker is in his second year (19-19) at the helm of the UTEP women's basketball team. He is in his 17th year overall (363-150) as a head coach, including his seventh season (141-49) 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 2-5) 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 8-2 under Kevin Baker ( 1-2 this year) when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor. Other notable records in the Baker era include being 14-6 (1-2 in '18-19) when tied or leading after three quarters, 9-1 (1-0 this year) when scoring 70+ points and 8-3 (1-2 this season) when drilling better than 40 percent from 3-point range (min. four makes)

 

HOME SWEET HOME

UTEP has an all-time home record of 362-223, including standing 2-4 in the Don Haskins Center in 2018-19. The Miners have amassed a record of 164-49 at home since 2006-07, including 97-32 since 2011-12. Aiding that 97-32 mark was a school-record (winning percentage) 19-1 home record in 2015-16. UTEP has been particularly strong in nonconference play, standing 82-16 in the Sun City in such contests since 2006-07. 

 

TRAVEL TIME

UTEP is 144-364 all time on the road, including 0-1 thus far in 2018-19. 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 60-69 on the road, including 36-38 since 2011-12. 

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

UTEP juniors Zuzanna Puc and Katarina Zec are starting to sprinkle their names in the UTEP career records. Zec is tied 18th in 3-pointers made (68) and career games started (57), 

tied for 20th in 3-pointers attempted (206) and 51st in points (503). Puc is 12th in blocked shots (42), 34th for field goals made (231) and tied 46th in points (555).

 

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 (389-53, 88.0%), Texas A&M (313-110, 74.0%) and Texas (269-141, 65.6%) lead the way followed by the Miners (248-139, 64.1%). Lamar (237-145, 62.0%), Stephen F. Austin (232-148, 61.1%), TCU (228-165, 58.0%), Prairie View A&M (206-180, 53.4), SMU (201-180, 52.8%), and Texas Tech (190-198, 49.0%) round out the top 10. 

 

SPECIAL RUN

The Miners are 148-85 since the start of the 2011-12 season (2-5 this year), with 88 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. 

 

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 Rochelle and 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. 

 

BASIC FACTS ON UTEP

UTEP is 566-667 in its 45th season as a women's basketball program, including standing 2-5 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 astronautDanny 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

UTEP returns home to play host to undefeated Portland State (5-0) at 2 p.m. MT Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be bought by calling (915) 747-5234.

 

CLIFF NOTES ON THE 2018-19 SEASON

MINERS UPENDED AT WEBER STATE (AT WEBER STATE 68, UTEP 63 11/28/18)

Jordan Alexander produced her first double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) of the year while  Katarina Zec added a season-high 15 points but a slow start doomed UTEP in its 68-63 setback at Weber State on Nov. 28. The Miners were sluggish at the onset, with the Wildcats capitalizing in the form of a 15-0 run over the first five minutes of the game. UTEP went to work from the point on, getting the deficit all the way down to two (43-41, 4:07 3Q) midway through the third quarter. WSU responded five a 5-0 run and the Miners couldn't get closer than five the rest of the way. UTEP piled up 15 assists on 22 made field goals, while tying for the fewest turnovers (six) in a road game in program history. The boards (42-41, WSU) were competitive as well but the home side found some separation with its shooting. WSU nailed 44.2 percent (23-52) from the field, including drilling 10-21 (47.6 percent) from 3-point range. Conversely, the Miners finished at 29.7 percent (22-74) from the floor. The Miners hit a season-best nine triples but needed the second-most attempts (33) in program history to do so. Zec drilled a quartet of triples while Alexander connected on 3-6 from beyond-the-arc. Jade Rochelle came off the bench to contribute career bests in both points (eight) and rebounds (eight), while Alexa Hoy added nine. Ariona Gill chipped in six points and career-high six boards. 

 

ABILENE CHRISTIAN OUTLASTS UTEP (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 then 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.

 

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 byNeidy 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 Zec connected 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 underKevin Baker in season lidlifters.