Miners Open Conference Play Against Rival NM State in Battle of I-10 Saturday

1/4/2024 11:47:00 AM

Game Notes (PDF)

EL PASO, Texas. – UTEP women's basketball (5-8) will host I-10 foe NM State (6-7) in the first conference matchup of the season on Saturday afternoon. This will mark the first time the squads will face each other as league opponents, as the Aggies joined the Miners in CUSA ahead of the 2023-24 athletic season.

The Miners and Aggies are set for a 2 p.m. tip in the Haskins Center. Tickets are available online at www.utepminers.com/tickets.

GAME COVERAGE
Saturday vs NM State - Live Stats or Watch Here

PREVIOUSLY ON...
The Miners improved to 5-8 on the season after a commanding 89-62 victory over Southern Utah on Dec. 30. It was the Miners first win since Nov. 26 against North Alabama. Jane Asinde and Erin Wilson both posted double doubles in the contest and Delma Zita scored a career-high 16 points and had no turnovers on the night. The Miners held the advantage the Thunderbirds in every scoring category, including 52-22 in the paint and 25-5 of turnovers.

WILSON NAMED CUSA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Erin Wilson garnered CUSA Player of the Week honors on Jan. 1 after her 18-point, 16-rebound performance against Southern Utah. Her final stat line included an impressive seven offensive rebounds and a going a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.

BALL SECURITY
Delma Zita scored a career-best 16 points and had zero turnovers against the Thunderbirds.

WIRE TO WIRE WIN
The Miners led the Thunderbirds for 39:11 minutes, with the only lead change coming with 5:30 left in the first quarter when Southern Utah went up one, 7-6. UTEP regained the lead18 seconds later and never looked back.

WHERE THERE'S A WIL(SON), THERE'S A WAY
Erin Wilson sits second in CUSA and 10th in the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game (4.2).

MAKE IT A DOUBLE (DOUBLE)
Jane Asinde (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Erin Wilson (18 points, 16 rebounds) both tallied double-doubles against SUU. It marks the third game this season where two Miners have recorded double doubles in the same contest.

IN THE RANKS
Two Miners are putting up stats that place them in the top 100 in the national rankings. Jane Asinde sits second in CUSA, 40th in the country in both double doubles (five) and free throw attempts (72). She also is third in the league and 65th in the NCAA in rebounds per game (8.7). Erin Wilson ranks second in CUSA and 10th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.2) while sitting fourth in the league and 70th in the country in rebounds per game (8.6).

WELCOME TO THE BLOCK PARTY
Eight different Miners have recorded at least one block this season, led by Dunja Zecevic with eight. Mahri Petree and Jane Asinde follow closely behind with five apiece.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
Keitha Adams is just four games away from 500 career victories as a head coach. 289 of those wins have come at the helm of the UTEP women's basketball program.

SCOUTING NM STATE
The Aggies are in their second season under Head Coach Jody Adams, who let the team to its first winning season in four years on the way to a post-season appearance. NM State defeated UIC and East Tennessee state before falling to California Baptist in the WBI title game. The Aggies are currently ranked first in CUSA and 10th in the country in three-point percentage defense (23.6) and lead the conference while sitting 58th nationally in three-point percentage (35.5). The team also tops the league and is 60th in the NCAA in scoring defense (57.1) and is fourth in CUSA, 90th in the nation in turnovers forced per game (18.46). Molly Kaiser paces the team with 15.4 points a game, followed by Tylie Jones (9.7) and Jaila Harding (8.8). Kaiser is ranked second in CUSA and 38th nationally in free throw percentage (88.1) and sits third in conference, 64th in the country in field goal attempts (180). Ene Adams is leading the team on the boards at 5.2 and Sabou Gueye has 4.8. Gueye tops the team in steals with 2.2. Sianny Sanchez-Oliver paces the Aggies in assists, posting 2.9 per game, with Sylena Peterson close on her tail with 2.7.

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE AGGIES
The Miners are 45-50 all-time against the Aggies. The last matchup came during the 2022-23 season, and saw the Miners win 57-52 on 12/13/22.

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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