UTEP WBB Welcomes New Mexico Highlands to the Sun City Saturday

11/21/2024 2:21:00 PM

Game Notes (PDF)
Season Statistics (PDF)

EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball team (2-1) hosts Division II New Mexico Highlands (2-2) Saturday at 2 p.m. MT. The game will serve as the Miners' "Green Game," an initiative from Conference USA to promote Mental Health Awareness. The game counts for UTEP but will be an exhibition for the Cowgirls.

GAME COVERAGE
Sunday vs Morehead State — Live Stats or Watch Here

LAST WEEK ON...
UTEP dropped its first game of the season in a tight 78-73 loss to UTSA on Nov. 16. The Miners led by as many as 11 in the contest, but a strong second half from the visitors gave them the edge. With five minutes remaining UTEP closed within one point but two costly technical fouls, which resulted in five points for the Roadrunners, changed the momentum of the game. UTEP shot 46.4 percent (26-56) from the field, 64.3 percent (9-14) from three, and 66.7 percent (12-18) from the charity stripe. The team grabbed 28 rebounds while tallying 11 assists, three steals, and four blocks. Ivane Tensaie led the Miners with 27 points while Portia Adams put up 18. Luisa Vydrova and Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi shared the team lead in rebounds with five apiece. Delma Zita handed out a team-best seven assists and Dunja Zecevic led UTEP in blocks with three.

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK
Ivane Tensaie inked her name in the UTEP WBB record book against UTSA, tying the program record for threes made in a single game with seven. She shares the record with Katarina Zec (2017), Dietra Caldwell (2009), Sviatlana Trukshanina (2009), and Holly Russ (1991).

SPLASH!
Ivane Tensaie could not miss against the Roadrunners, dropping a career-high 27 points. She shot 69.2 percent (9-13) from the floor, including 70.0 percent (7-10) from downtown. Tensaie is shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 52.0 percent from three through three games, while averaging a team-best 19.0 points per game.

TENSAIE FOR THREEEEE!
Ivane Tensaie leads Conference USA and sits second in the nation in three-pointers per game (4.3).

THE ADAMS IT FACTOR
Portia Adams had her second double-digit scoring performance in three games against UTSA, posting 18 points on 42.8 percent shooting (6-14). She also went 5-6 from the foul line in the contest (83.3 percent). Adams is one of two Miners averaging in double digures (13.3).

*FINGER WAG* NO NO NO!
Dunja Zecevic matched her career best in blocks, swatting away three shots against UTSA.

DISHING IT OUT
Delma Zita dished out seven assists against the Roadrunners. She is tied for second among Conference USA players in assists per game (4.3)

SHARP SHOOTING
The Miners shot 64.2 percent (9-14) from beyond the arc against UTSA. They are shooting 43.2 percent from deep on the year (13th in the nation) while holding opponents to just 26.5 percent.

ON TARGET
Four UTEP players are shooting 50.0 percent or better from the floor in 2024 (minimum 10 shots attempted). Luisa Vydrova (14-26) and Dunja Zecevic (7-13) pace the team with 53.8 percent each, followed by Ivane Tensaie at 52.6 percent (20-38) and Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi at 50.0 percent even (5-10).

BETTER THAN YOUR MOM'S TURNOVERS
UTEP has forced 20 or more turnovers in every contest so far. Opponents are averaging 23.3 turnovers per game, which is 39th in the nation. Morehead State gave up the ball a whopping 28 times.

HOW MAY WE ASSIST YOU?
The Miners have registered 35 assists on 71 field goals made, meaning they are tallying an assist on nearly 50.0 percent of all points scored this season.

SCOUTING REPORT: N.M. HIGHLANDS
The Cowgirls are 2-2 on the season, most recently dropping a close 63-61 contest to Northern New Mexico College. NMHU is averaging 68.8 points and 36.3 reboinds per game. The Cowgirls are shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 27.0 percent from three, and 66.7 percent from the line. Juliana Aragon leads the team with 15.3 points per game, followed by Kapiolani Anitielu (13.5), Caitlin Turnbow (9.0), Emma Christiano (7.8), and Amaris Valadez (7.5). Eva Ongoongotau grabs a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game while Turnbow is posting 5.5. Aragon also paces the team in assists (5.0). Christiano, Valadez, and former Miner Aspen Salazar share the team lead in steals with 2.0 apiece. Nationally, the Cowgirls rank 43rd in Division II play in bench points per game (29.0). They also sit 34th in offensive rebounds per game (16.5), 76th in steals per game (10.8), 50th in turnover margin (5.0), and 59th in turnovers forced per game (21.75). Individually, Aragon iss 22nd in assists per game (5.0) and 44th in free throw percentage (91.7) while Anitielu sits 84th in field goal attempts (61).

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE COWGIRLS
The Miners are officially 2-0 all-time against the Cowgirls, however, the two sides faced off in an exhibition match to kick off the 2023-24 season.

FAST FORWARD
The Miners head out for their first road test of the season next Tuesday (11/26) when they take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. MT/ 6 p.m. CT.

TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit UTEPMiners.com/Tickets for more information.

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For complete coverage of UTEP women's basketball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPWBB (Twitter), @utepwbb (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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