Miners to Face UIC and Illinois in West Palm Beach Classic

12/19/2023 3:19:00 PM

Game Notes (PDF)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The UTEP women's basketball program (4-6) will compete against the UIC Flames (6-3) and Illinois Fighting Illini (5-4, 0-1 Big Ten) as part of the West Palm Beach Classic. Tipoff is set for 9 a.m. MT/ 11 a.m. ET Wednesday against UIC and 11:15 a.m. MT/ 1:15 p.m. ET Thursday against Illinois.

GAME COVERAGE
Wednesday vs UIC – Live Stats or Watch Here
Thursday vs Illinois – Live Stats or Watch Here

PREVIOUSLY ON...
The Miners fell to 4-6 after a 68-63 overtime loss to Portland at the Don Haskins Center on Dec. 9. Three Miners scored in double digits, led by Adhel Tac with 22 points. Erin Wilson followed closely with 18, and Aaliyah Stanton had 10. UTEP shot 36.4 percent (24-66) from the floor and 77.8 percent (14-18) from the foul line.

Adhel's career night
Adhel Tac put up a career-high 22 points against the Pilots. She also had a career-best matching three steals on the night.

Sticky fingers
Erin Wilson racked up a career-best five steals against Portland. She ranks second on the team in steals this season with 17.

seeing double-double
Adhel Tac and Erin Wilson both posted double-doubles against Portland. Tac poured in 22 points and grabbed 10 boards while Wilson added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

stout Stanton
Aaliyah Stanton earned her first career start against the Pilots, tallying 10 points and recording one rebound, one steal, and one block in the game.

crashing the Boards
Dunja Zecevic grabbed a career-high six boards against Portland.

FEELIN' FINE at the Foul Line
The Miners shot 77.8 percent (14-18) from the charity stripe vs. Portland, led by Adhel Tac. She was perfect 4-4. The game marked the seventh in a row that UTEP has made at least 10 free throws.

IN THE RANKS
Two Miners are putting up stats that place them in the top 100 in the national rankings. Jane Asinde sits first in CUSA and 45th nationally in double-doubles (four), and is second in conference, 63rd in the country in rebounds per game (8.9). She also ranks fifth in the league, 93rd in NCAA in free throw attempts (52) and sixth in conference, 91st nationally in free throws (39). Erin Wilson is ranked second in CUSA, 17th in the country in offensive rebounds per game (4.1), fourth in the league and 85th in NCAA in free throw attempts (53), and fourth in conference, 83rd in the nation in rebounds per game (8.4)

Welcome to the block party
Eight different Miners have recorded at least one block this season, led by Dunja Zecevic with six. Mahri Petree and Jane Asinde follow closely behind with five and four, respectively.

SCOUTING UIC
The Flames are 6-3 on the year, averaging 77.1 points and 38.3 rebounds per game. As a team, UIC ranks first in conference and 19th in the NCAA in assists per game (18.9) and second in the league, 15th in the nation in bench points per game (31.0). The Flames sit second in the MVC and 14th in the country in free throw attempts per game (23.67), and second in conference, 18th nationally in steals per game (11.9). They are ranked in the top 100 in NCAA in seven other categories. Leading the way for UIC is Dais'Ja Trotter, who is averaging 13.6 points per game. Two other players are also in double digits in scoring, Makiyah Williams (12.8) and Keimari Rimmer (11.9). Danyel Middleton (9.3) and Jaida McCloud (9.0) round out the top five scorers. On the glass, McCloud paces the team with 6.8 rebounds per game, followed by Rimmer with 5.7. Sandra Frau-Garcia leads in assists with 5.1 per game, and Kristian Young is close behind at 4.1. Young leads the conference and ranks 11th nationally in assist-turnover ratio (3.45), while Frau-Garcia sits fourth in the MVS, 99th nationally (1.92) Frau-Garcia also ranks second in the league, 43rd in the country in assists per game (5.1) and second in conference, 81st in the NCAA in total assists (46). Rimmer places fourth in conference and 98th nationally in steals per game (2.22).

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE FLAMES
This will be the first time the Miners take on the Flames.

SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Illinois (5-4, 0-1 Big Ten) is averaging 76.2 points and 36.9 rebounds per game. The Fighting Illini are shooting 46.8 percent from the floor and 32.0 percent from downtown, while also hitting 73.1 percent from the foul line. As a team, They are ranked in the top 100 in the nation in several categories. Illinois sits second in the Big Ten, 14th in the nation in turnovers per game (11.9), and second in conference, 23rd in NCAA in fouls per game (13.6). The Fighting Illini also rank sixth in the league, 36th in the country in field goal percentage (46.8) and fourth in the Big Ten, 59th nationally in turnover margin (4.11). Four players are averaging double digits in scoring, led by Genesis Bryant with 15.3 and Kendal Bostic with 12.3. Makira Cook is posting 11.0 points per game and Adalia McKenzie 10.3. Bostic also paces the team in rebounding with 8.9 per game. Brynn Shoup-Hill has a team-high 10 blocks on the year, while Bryant is leading the team in assists with 30. Bostic leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the nation in field goal percentage (70.3) and is third in conference, 63rd in NCAA in rebounds per game (8.9).

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE FIGHTINHG ILLINI
Thursday will be the first meeting between UTEP and Illinois.

TICKETS
Single-game tickets remain on sale now, and can be purchased through the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets, or in person at 201 Glory Road (Brumbelow Building, UTEP Campus), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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