UTEP Miners

GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT

THE OPENING TIP

The UTEP women's basketball team (4-11, 1-1 C-USA) will conclude its three-game roadswing to start league action by playing at Rice (12-3, 3-0 C-USA) at 1 p.m. MT/2 p.m. CT Thursday. It marks the end of the longest road trip to begin C-USA action for the Miners since they also had three straight road contests at the onset of league play in 2007-08. UTEP was dispatched, 70-51, at North Texas on Thursday (1/10/19). The Owls stayed perfect in league play while extending their overall winning streak to five by trouncing UTSA, 85-54, on Thursday (1/10/19). UTEP is 1-5 on the season on the road while Rice is 5-2 at home. It is the lone scheduled meeting of the season between the programs. The game will be broadcast locally on 600 ESPN El Paso with Brandon Cohn on the call and also streamed online through CUSA.tv (subscription required). 

 

RUNNING THE GAUNTLET

Saturday's contest marks the first of three straight games against the teams voted in the top three of the C-USA preseason poll. The stretch starts at Rice (picked second), followed by home match-ups against UAB (preseason favorite, Jan. 17) and Middle Tennessee (picked third, Jan. 19). Those teams are living up to the hype by sporting a combined record of 38-9 on the campaign, including 8-1 in league play. Additionally, the Owls are the second consecutive foe to enter the tilt with the Miners on a five-game winning streak. 

 

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 RICE)

"Rice has proven to be one of the top teams in Conference USA again this season. They are very well coached and have one of the best players in the country leading them in scoring. This will be a tough challenge for the Miners as we head into their building. If we can control (Erika) Ogwumike and win the battle of the boards then we will have a chance to beat them on their home floor."

 

THE SERIES (OVERALL: RICE LEADS, 28-16; IN HOUSTON: RICE LEADS, 16-7)

Rice leads the series, 28-16, including a mark of 16-7 when playing in Houston. The Owls have claimed the past two meetings, including toppling the Miners, 56-42, on Jan. 26, 2018, in the lone match-up of the 2017-18 season. The two squads have squared off at least once annually since the 1996-97 campaign, with the sequence beginning when both were in the WAC and continuing into C-USA. UTEP is 13-7 against Rice since the start of the 2007-08 season. 

 

GET TO KNOW RICE (12-3, 3-0 C-USA; 6-0 HOME; 5-2 AWAY; 1-1 NEUTRAL)

Rice, which was tabbed second in the Conference USA preseason poll, rolled through nonconference play with a mark of 9-3. It has continued to play well since the onset of league action, entering Saturday's game at 12-3 overall (3-0 C-USA). The Owls have won five straight and 12 of 13 after starting the season at 0-2. Their three setbacks on the year have come against power conference programs Texas A&M, UCLA and North Carolina. Rice is 6-0 on the campaign at home, including most recently waxing UTSA, 85-54, on Thursday (1/10/19). The Owls are led by C-USA Preseason Player of the Year (Erika) Ogwumike, who is averaging a double-double with 16.8 points per game (fifth C-USA/106th NCAA) and 10.8 rebounds per contest (second C-USA/27th NCAA). She also paces the Owls and is among the C-USA/NCAA leaders for defensive boards per contest (8.8, first/sixth), double-doubles (seven, second/25th), free throws made (66, third/33rd), free throws attempted (79, fifth/59th), free-throw percentage (83.5, fourth/64th) and steals per game (2.3, fourth/88th). Nancy Mulkey has swatted 22 total shots (second C-USA/85th NCAA). Rice is in the upper echelon of the league and among the top-100 nationally in field-goal percentage (46.2, first/22nd), free-throw percentage (74.1, first/51st), fewest personal fouls per game (15.1, second/54th), 3-point percentage (34.5, third/62nd), scoring defense (58.5, fourth/65th),  fewest total fouls (227, third/85th), free throws made (192, fifth/87th), scoring margin (+8.3, third/92nd), 3-pointers made (101, sixth/94th) and field-goal percentage defense (37.7, fifth/97th). .Notable Rice alumni include Lance Berkman (former MLB All-State), Thomas Cruikshank (Former chairman and CEO of Haliburton) and Peggy Whitson (U.S. Astronaut).

 

LAST MEETING WITH RICE (AT RICE 56, UTEP 42, JAN. 26, 2018)

UTEP held Rice to its second-lowest scoring output of the season but couldn't generate enough offense in a 56-42 road setback on Jan. 26, 2018. The Owls rode a barrage of 3-pointers (12-27) to fuel their offensive effort against the Miners. At the other end of the court the Orange and Blue connected on 31.5 percent (17-54) from the floor, including 3-13 (23.1 percent) from distance. Rebounding also went in favor of the home side, 37-32. UTEP tried to compensate for that by committing a season-low 10 turnovers and holding a 22-14 advantage for points in the paint but it wasn't enough to make up for the off shooting night. Tamara Seda led the way for the Miners with 13 points, which tied as the most by any player on the court, while Jordan Alexander pitched in nine points. Erica Ogwumike led the way for the Owls with a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds). She was joined in double figures by Nicole Iademarco (13 points) and Wendy Knight (11 points).

 

GOING BACK IN TIME (UTEP 73, AT UTSA 60, 1/5/19)

Freshman Ariana Taylor (13 points) and sophomore Alexa Hoy (12 points) reached double figures in scoring but a tough start loomed large in UTEP's 70-51 deficit against North Texas at the Super Pit on Jan. 10. The Miners found themselves down 11 (14-3) three minutes into the contest, with the Mean Green connecting on their first six shots. UTEP did its best to withstand the early barrage, battling to get within five (35-30) midway through the third quarter only to have a 9-0 UNT run put the game out of reach for good. The Miners finished at 34.6 percent (18-52) from the floor, which was hindered by a readout of 22.2 percent (4-18) from 3-point range. After the quick start shooting by the home side UTEP tightened up, resulting in UNT checking in at 41.9 percent (26-62). The Mean Green won the boards (43-37), despite Taylor (career-high seven rebounds) and Zuzanna Puc (seven boards) putting in some work on the glass. The Orange and Blue did take good care of the ball with only 12 giveaways but it wasn't enough to compensate for the other areas.

 

TRACKING THE OPPOSITION

UTEP's 11 setbacks have come against teams that are a combined 100-56 (64.1 percent) on the season. Ten of those squads currently have winning records. Things don't get any easier any time soon, with the next three foes on the docket currently standing a combined 38-9. 

 

SOME CLOSE CALLS

Six of UTEP's 11 losses have come by seven points or less, with a pair of one-point setbacks, one by two points, one by four points, one by five points and one by seven points. The Miners have held a lead in seven of the setbacks, including  double-digit advantages against both Arkansas State (12/1/18) and at New Mexico (12/5/18). 

 

SECOND-HALF OFFENSIVE SUCCESS

UTEP has been a markedly better team offensively in second-half action this season, as the chart below shows. 

                                    UTEP Averages By Half

                                                PTS    FG%   3FG% FT%    AST    TO

            FIRST HALF          26.4    37.9    28.8    62.1     6.5      9.3

            SECOND HALF     34.3    42.8    35.1     74.4    8.5      7.2       

           

INDIVIDUAL QUICK HITTERS

Jordan Jenkins has the best assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.7) on the team and is one of four Miners with more assists (43) than turnovers (26) ... tallied six points at North Texas (1/10/19) to snap a three-game scoreless skid ... all 28 rebounds have been at the defensive end ... Jordan Alexander has grabbed a team-high 79 defensive rebounds; no one else on the squad is above 55 ... one of four Miners with more assists (27) than turnovers (25) ... played a season-high 37 minutes at North Texas ... Nine of Neidy Ocuane's 13 field goals on the year have been from 3-point range ... one of four Miners with more assists (23) than turnovers (19) ... Zuzanna Puc is the only player on the team to have started every contest ... lone Miner to be shooting above 50.0 percent from the floor ... attempted 10+ field goals in three straight games for the first time of her career ... Jade Rochelle is fourth in rebounds per game (4.6 rpg) despite placing seventh in minutes per game (16.2) ... secured multiple offensive boards in three straight games for the first time of her career ... lone Miner to have fewer than 1.0 turnovers per contest (0.9) ... Ariona Gill (currently injured) started the first 12 contests before missing the past three tilts with an injury ... Sabine Lipe has started three straight games ... one of four Miners with more assists (24) than turnovers (14) ... blocked a shot in back-to-back contests ... Alexa Hoy made her second start of the season at North Texas, setting a career best in steals (two) while equaling her career high (three) for assists ... reached double figures in scoring in consecutive contests after doing so once over her first 13 games played ... been nearly perfect (20-23) on free throws ... Ariana Taylor made her first career start at North Texas, establishing career bests for playing time (32 minutes), 3-pointers made (five), 3-pointers attempted (five) and total field-goals attempts (10) ... back-to-back games with at least six rebounds after never grabbing more than four boards over her first 13 contests ... Katarina Zec came off the bench at North Texas, snapping a string of 58 straight starts ... 47 of her 58 total rebounds have been at the defensive end.

 

TRENDING WITH THE TEAM

Committed 14 turnovers or less in three of the past four games ... credited with a season-low four assists at North Texas (1/10/19) ... attempted at least 18 triples in back-to-back contests for the second time of the campaign. 

 

IT'S A QUARTER THING

UTEP has a -5.1 average scoring margin (12.3-17.1) in the first quarter, but it is much more competitive the rest of the way. The average difference is -0.9 (14.1-15.0) in the second quarter, +0.9 in the third quarter (16.6-15.7) and +0.1 (17.7-17.6) in the fourth quarter. UTEP has been outscored by 72 points (911-982) in the first quarter but is +1 (726-725) over the final three frames. 

 

DEFENDING WITHOUT FOULING

The Miners are committing 14.4 fouls per game (first C-USA/27th NCAA), a stark contrast to the 18.8 fpg called on the opposition. One direct impact has been UTEP having advantages in free throws made and attempted. The Miners are 180-259 from the charity stripe compared to their foes standing 153-214. 

 

PUTTING UP THE POINTS

Zuzanna Puc (12.7 ppg, 14th C-USA) Ariona Gill (currently injured, 11.2 ppg), Katarina Zec (7.8 ppg). and Jordan Alexander (7.5 ppg) have been the most consistent scoring threats for the Miners in 2018-19. They are combining for 39.2 of UTEP's 60.7 points per game on average, with no other player on the squad tallying more than 6.0 ppg. The quartet is responsible for 26 of the 34 double-digit scoring efforts on the campaign. Puc (nine) leads, followed by Gill (seven), Alexander (five) and Zec (five). Ariana Taylor (three), Alexa Hoy (three), Jordan Jenkins (one), Jade Rochelle (one) have the other eight.

 

SHARING IS CARING

UTEP is producing 15.0 assists per contest (second C-USA/80th NCAA), with 225 total helpers (second C-USA/69th NCAA). Jordan Jenkins leads the way at 2.9 assists per game (13th C-USA). 

 

TALKING PLAYING TIME

Every player on the squad is securing better than 10.0 minutes per game, including eight earning at least 15.0 mpg. Ariona Gill (currently injured) tops the squad in playing time (29.0 mpg). Seven of the 10 Miners have appeared in every contest this year, while Jade Rochelle (14-one coaches' DNP), Sabine Lipe (12-missed first three injured) and Gill (12-missed last three injured) have played in the majority of the 15 games. UTEP has used five different starting line-up combinations, including a new-look line-up at North Texas last time out on Thursday (1/10/19).

 

UTEP IN THE RANKINGS

UTEP is in the upper echelon of C-USA and among the top-100 nationally for fewest fouls per game (14.3, first/27th), fewest total fouls (215, first/48th), total assists (225, second/69th), assists per game (15.0, second/80th) and rebound margin (+3.0, sixth/93rd).

 

INDIVIDUALS IN THE RANKINGS

Zuzanna Puc is in the C-USA/NCAA rankings in field-goal percentage (51.7, 10th/66th). She also appears in the league leaders for free-throw percentage (67.9, 13th), points per game (12.7, 14th), blocks per game (0.7, 15th) and rebounds per game (5.7, 17th).Jordan Alexander checks in the C-USA rankings for defensive rebounds per game (5.3, fifth), 3-point percentage (40.4, seventh) and rebounds per game (6.2, 14th).Katarina Zec rates 12th in the league for 3-point percentage (38.5). Jordan Jenkins is 13th in C-USA for assists per game (2.9) while Ariona Gill (currently injured) is 15th in C-USA in free-throw percentage (67.6).

 

PUC POWER

Zuzanna Puc paces the Miners in scoring (12.7 ppg, 14th C-USA), blocked shots (0.7 bpg, 15th C-USA), field-goal percentage (51.7, 10th C-USA/50th NCAA), offensive rebounds per game (2.1), free throws made (36) and attempted (53) and double-doubles (three). She has hit double figures in points in a team-high nine occasions and rates second on the squad in rebounding (5.7 rpg, 17th C-USA) and playing time (28.2 mpg). Puc is the only player on the squad to have started all 15 contests. 

 

ALEXANDER AVENUE

Jordan Alexander, the lone senior on the squad, has been trying to lead by example. She paces the team in rebounds per game (6.2, 14th C-USA), defensive rebounds per game (5.3, fifth C-USA), 3-pointers made (21), 3-pointers attempted (52) and 3-point percentage (40.4, seventh C-USA). Alexander is also one of four Miners to contribute at least 7.0 points per game (7.5 ppg, fourth on team).

 

HOY'S EMERGENCE

Sophomore Alexa Hoy is starting to come into form, ranking second on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) over the past five games. She has scored 49 points in the stretch on 48.6 percent shooting (17-35), including 46.2 percent (6-13) from distance. Hoy had a total of 40 points (4.0 ppg) and was held to 23.3 percent (13-56) from the floor, including 12.5 percent (3-24) on 3-point tosses, during the first 10 games of the season. She has reached double figures in scoring in consecutive contests. 

 

TAYLOR TIME

Freshman  Ariana Taylor has made big strides since early in the year, culminating with earning her first career start at North Texas on Thursday (1/10/19). She is third on the squad in scoring (9.1 ppg) over the last eight games. She has contributed 64 points in the sequence while connecting on 45.7 percent (21-46) of her shots, including 50.0 percent (7-14) on 3-point tries. Taylor had 15 points (1.9 ppg) and was limited to 29.4 percent (5-17) shooting, including 14.3 percent (1-7) on triples, over her first seven appearances. 

 

WORTH THE WAIT

Ariona Gill (currently injured), who sat out last year as a redshirt, has proven to be worth the wait. She leads the squad in minutes played (29.0) while starting the first 12 contests before missing the past three games with an injury. She is second on the unit for double-digit scoring games (seven), scoring (11.2 ppg), offensive rebounds per game (1.5) and free throws made (25) and attempted (37). She places third in rebounding (4.9 rpg).

 

KAT'S CORNER

Katarina Zec leads the squad in free-throw percentage (88.0) while rating second for 3-pointers made (15), 3-pointers attempted (39) and 3-point percentage (38.5, 12th C-USA). Zec also is third on the team in scoring (7.8 ppg) and fourth in minutes per game (22.9 mpg). She started the first 14 games before coming off the bench at North Texas (1/10/19), snapping an overall streak of 58 consecutive starts. 

 

THE BAKER FILE (OVERALL: 365-156, COLLEGE: 143-55, UTEP: 21-25)

Kevin Baker is in his second year (21-25) at the helm of the UTEP women's basketball team. He is in his 17th year overall (365-156) as a head coach, including his seventh season (143-55) 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.

 

WINNING NUMBERS UNDER BAKER

The Miners are 11-1 (3-0 this year) when scoring 70+ points under Kevin Baker. Other notable records in the Baker era include being, 9-2 (2-2 this year) when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor, 10-3 (3-2 this season) when drilling better than 40 percent from 3-point range (min. four makes), 15-6 (4-1 this year) when holding the opponent to below 40.0 percent from the floor, 16-7 (3-3 in '18-19) when tied or leading after three quarters and 20-12 (4-3 this year) when winning the boards.

 

HOME SWEET HOME

UTEP has an all-time home record of 362-224, including standing 2-5 in the Don Haskins Center in 2018-19. The Miners have amassed a record of 164-50 at home since 2006-07, including 97-33 since 2011-12. UTEP has been particularly strong in nonconference play, standing 82-17 in the Sun City in such contests since 2006-07. 

 

TRAVEL TIME

UTEP is 145-368 all time on the road, including 1-5 thus far in 2018-19. When playing at a neutral site the Miners stand 61-80, including 1-1 this year. Since the start of the 2006-07 season UTEP is 63-75 on the road, including 39-44 since 2011-12. 

 

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

UTEP juniors Zuzanna Puc and Katarina Zec are starting to sprinkle their names in the UTEP career records. Puc is 12th in blocked shots (46), 31st for field goals made (268), 33rd in rebounds (369), 36th in points (652) and tied 43rd for games played (75). Zec is 16th in games started (64), tied 16th in 3-pointers made (73), tied 19th in 3-pointers attempted (215), 47th in games played (71) and 48th in points (545).

 

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 (394-54, 87.9%), Texas A&M (321-112, 74.1%) and Texas (275-142, 65.9%) lead the way followed by the Miners (250-145, 63.3%). Lamar (242-146, 62.4%), Stephen F. Austin (238-149, 61.5%), TCU (233-167, 58.3%), Prairie View A&M (208-185, 52.9), SMU (202-185, 52.2%), and Texas Tech (195-200, 49.4%) round out the top 10. 

 

SPECIAL RUN

The Miners are 150-91 since the start of the 2011-12 season (4-11 this year). 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 18 separate winning streaks of at least three games (eight such skids), and posted 90 double-digit victories (45 such losses) 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 have newcomers (Eliana Cabral, freshman guard, Alexa Hoy, sophomore guard, Sabine Lipe, freshman guard, Jade Rochelle, junior guard/forward 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

Nearly half (5-11) of the Miners' roster in 2018-19 is comprised of international players.Eliana Cabral (Portugal), Sabine Lipe (Latvia), Neidy Ocuane (Mozambique),Zuzanna Puc (Poland) 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 andAriana 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 feature 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 568-673 in its 45th season as a women's basketball program, including standing 4-11 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

UTEP will open up the home portion of its Conference USA slate by welcoming preseason favorite and defending regular-season champion UAB to the Don Haskins Center for a match-up at 7 p.m. MT on Thursday. 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

HOY'S CARER DAY HELPS MINERS RACE PAST ROADRUNNERS (UTEP 73, AT UTSA 60, 1/5/19)

Sophomore Alexa Hoy poured in a career-high 22 points off the bench to pace a trio of Miners in double figures as UTEP toppled UTSA, 73-60, on the road in the Conference USA opener for both squads inside the Convocation Center on Jan. 5. The first true road victory of the year for the Miners moves them to 11-3 all time in C-USA lidlifters. The Roadrunners didn't make it easy by bolting to a 10-point (22-12) lead early in the second quarter, but behind Hoy's 12 points in the frame UTEP pulled even (30-30) at half. The Miners were up by two (49-47) before using a huge fourth quarter (24-13) to post the double-digit victory. Jordan Alexander (season-high 18 points) and Zuzanna Puc (15 points) joined Hoy in double figures for scoring while freshmenAriana Taylor (eight points) and Sabine Lipe (seven points) also got after it. UTEP crushed the Roadrunners, the top offensive-rebounding team in the league, on the boards (45-28), with Alexander snagging 11 rebounds to post her second double-double this season. Lipe got involved as well by pulling down a career-best seven caroms. The Miners shot 45.3 percent (24-53) from the floor, including connecting on 8-20 (40.0 percent) from distance. UTEP shared the ball effectively, racking up 17 assists on its 24 field goals made. It was a different story for the home side, which was limited to 33.3 percent (22-66) shooting, including 22.7 percent (5-22) on 3-point tries. But the story of the day was Hoy, who put on a show in front of her mom, aunt and grandmother. She nailed 7-12 from the floor, including 2-5 from distance. She also made 6-7 free throws, including 5-6 in the final frame, to help ice the contest.

 

IMPRESSIVE COMEBACK

UTEP erased a 10-point deficit (22-12) in the second quarter on the way to winning by 13 (73-60) at UTSA (1/5/19). It marked the first time since a 78-66 victory at Florida Atlantic (1/21/16) that the Miners overcame a double-digit deficit to prevail by at least 10 points on the road. 

 

TALKING LEAGUE OPENERS

UTEP improved to 11-3 in Conference USA openers since joining the league (2005-06), including now standing a perfect 2-0 in the situation under Kevin Baker. Furthermore the Miners have now won nine of their last 10 league lid lifters. Overall UTEP stands 16-22 all time in conference lid lifters.  

 

LUCKY 7

Guard Sabine Lipe had seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the win at UTSA (1/5/19), making her the first Miner freshman to have a stat line of at least 7-7-7 in those categories since Shalana Taylor recorded a triple-double (12-11-10) in a 71-50 win against Hawaii on Feb. 19, 2005.

 

UTEP TRIPPED UP AT TULSA (AT TULSA 66, UTEP 45, 12/29/18)

Katarina Zec (season-high 16 points) and Zuzanna Puc (13 points) each reached double figures in scoring but a slow start proved fatal in UTEP's 66-45 setback at Tulsa on Dec. 29. The Miners dug themselves a 20-point hole (25-5) through 10 minutes of action and could never recovery against the Golden Hurricane. UTEP won the second (11-10) and third quarters (18-14) before being outpaced slightly (17-11) in the final frame. The Orange and Blue were without their second-leading scorer (Ariona Gill), who missed the contest with an injury. Freshman Sabine Lipe started in her place, contributing a career-best six assists and three boards. UTEP finished at 32.7 percent (18-55) from the floor, recording 13 assists on its 18 made field goals. It also took decent care of the ball with 15 turnovers, but the first quarter was too much to overcome. Rebounding favored Tulsa slightly (36-33), but the Miners enjoyed a 26-20 cushion for points in the paint. Jade Rochelle set the tone for the Orange and Blue on the boards by grabbing a team-best seven caroms. In terms of scoring, Jordan Alexander (seven points), Ariana Taylor (five points) and Rochelle (four points) followed after Zec and Puc.

 

TAYLOR SCORES CAREER-HIGH 16 BUT UTEP FALLS TO AKRON (VS. AKRON 64, UTEP 57, 12/21/18)

Freshman Ariana Taylor came off the bench to pour in a career-high 16 points but UTEP was upended against Akron, 64-57, in its second and final game at the Vegas South Point Holiday Hoops Classic on Dec. 21. The Miners trailed by 10 (41-31) with 6:17 to play in the third quarter before the bench essentially orchestrated a 12-0 run to give them their first lead since it was 4-2 in the opening frame. It was back-and-forth the rest of the way, before the Zips used a 6-0 run late to create some separation and hold on for the win. UTEP's reserves proved their worth, accounting for 37 of the team's 57 points on the night. The Miners connected on 41.3 percent (19-46) of their shots while going 15-18 at the charity stripe. UTEP took good care of the ball, committing only 10 turnovers. All 10 Miners suited up played between 18-26 minutes during the contest. Taylor was the lone member of the Orange and Blue to reach double figures in scoring.Katarina Zec buoyed her with eight, followed by Sabine Lipe (career-high tying seven) and Alexa Hoy (five).

 

UTEP SHOOTS PAST WESTERN ILLINOIS (UTEP 84, VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS 72, 12/20/18)

Zuzanna Puc posted a double-double (season-best 24 points, 11 rebounds) and UTEP erupted for a season high in points in an 84-72 win against Western Illinois as part of the Las Vegas South Point Holiday Hoops Classic on Dec. 20. The Miners  shot a campaign-best 53.6 percent (30-56) from the floor, aided by nailing a season-high 11 3-pointers on 19 attempts for their top percentage (.579) from distance on the year to snap an eight-game skid in style. UTEP led for 30 minutes against the Fighting Leathernecks, including being up by as many as 20 (77-57) in the fourth quarter. Puc had a field day against a WIU squad that didn't have a player taller than 6'0, shooing 9-18 from the floor and securing four of her 11 rebounds on the offensive end. She was the lone member of the Orange and Blue to reach double figures in scoring, but every Miner had least four points in the contest. Puc led with 24, followed by Alexa Hoy(nine points), Jordan Alexander (eight points), Ariona Gill (eight points), Neidy Ocuane (career-high eight points), Sabine Lipe (career-best seven points), Katarina Zec (seven points), Jade Rochelle (five points), Jordan Jenkins (four points) andAriana Taylor (four points). UTEP shared the ball well, recording 23 assists on 30 made field goals. Jenkins set the tone in that department with a career-high tying seven dimes compared to just one giveaway. Gill added a personal-best matching four helpers. The Miners also dominated on the boards (41-27) and in points in the paint (34-20)

 

UTEP DISPATCHED AT ARIZONA (AT ARIZONA 62, UTEP 40, 12/17/18)

UTEP held Arizona to its lowest scoring total of the season but turnovers and not enough shots falling loomed large in a 62-40 road setback inside the McKale Center on Dec. 17. RS-Junior Ariona Gill (11 points) and senior Jordan Alexander (10 points) hit double figures in scoring to pace the Miners, who limited the Wildcats to 17 points below their season average (78.6 ppg). UTEP also won the boards (36-31) but couldn't get into a good rhythm consistently against the homestanding Wildcats. The Miners finished at 36.6 (15-41) percent from the floor, but of greater concern were the 19 turnovers that resulted in 23 points for the home side. It was a different story for UA, which had only nine giveaways and shot 40.9 percent (25-61) from the field. Freshman Ariana Taylor provided a spark off the bench with eight points and a career-high tying four rebounds in 14 minutes of action. Fellow classmate Sabine Lipe added a career-best five points, including a fancy old-fashioned 3-point play in transition.

 

UTEP FALLS TO UNDEFEATED PORTLAND STATE (PORTLAND STATE 89, AT UTEP 61, 12/9/18)

Redshirt-junior Ariona Gill posted her first career double-double (17 points, career-best 12 rebounds) but an off shooting day and a balanced offensive attack from the visitors proved problematic in UTEP's 89-61 loss to undefeated Portland State at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 9. Jade Rochelle (career-high 11 points) and Ariana Taylor (career-high 10 points) came off the bench to provide a spark for the Miners, who played the second half without leading scorer and rebound Zuzanna Puc. Jordan Alexander added eight points and eight boards, but the Vikings simply had too much firepower. PSU was paced by Kylie Jimenez's 21 points while Ashley Bolston (18 points), Sidney Rielly (14 points) and Ana Tainta (13 points) also had big days. The Miners finished at 32.8 percent (20-61) from the floor, including 25.0 percent (3-12) from 3-point range. It was a different story for the Vikings, who drained 44.2 percent (34-77) of their attempts on the day. PSU had a slight edge in rebounding (45-41), with the 11 rebounds by Desirae Hanson in 20 minutes making a difference for her squad. The Vikings also had significant advantages in points in the paint (42-28) and fastbreak points (24-21). UTEP shared the ball effectively, recording 15 assists on 20 made field goals. 

 

PUC TALLIES SEASON-HIGH 21 POINTS IN LOSS AT UNM (AT NEW MEXICO 69, UTEP 51, 12/5/18)

Zuzanna Puc poured in a season-high 21 points, including 10 during a big first quarter, but UTEP couldn't sustain its fast start in a 69-51 loss at New Mexico on Dec. 5. The Miners bolted out to a 19-10 advantage through 10 minutes of action, with Puc single-handily matching the Lobos for scoring in the frame. The home side regrouped and responded in a big way to pull away over the final three quarters. In spite of that, UTEP kept the Lobos to a season-low 69 points. UNM entered the game putting up 81 points per game and was flying high after routing NM State, 83-58, last time out on Dec. 1.Jordan Jenkins (eight points, five assists) and Jordan Alexander (seven points, nine boards) buoyed the efforts of Puc. UTEP recorded 15 assists on its 20 made field goals while also keeping things competitive on the glass (41-38, UNM). Overall the Miners connected on 36.4 percent (20-55) from the floor, including a sizzling 53.3 percent (8-15) over the first 10 minutes of action.

 

A-STATE SLIPS PAST UTEP (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 the Kevin 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.

 

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 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 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 under Kevin Baker in season lidlifters.