UTEP WBB Returns to Don Haskins Center for Matchup Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff

12/18/2024 2:25:00 PM

Game Notes (PDF)
Season Statistics (PDF)

EL PASO, Texas. – The UTEP women's basketball team (5-4) welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-7) to the Sun City Thursday afternoon in its first home contest following a three-game road trip. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. MT. Fans are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweaters and help the Don Haskins Center feel festive!

GAME COVERAGE
Thursday vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff — Live Stats or Watch Here

Last Week on...
A tough start against Colorado State led to UTEP's fourth loss of the season on Dec. 16, 70-52. Despite tying the Rams 47-47 over the second, third, and fourth quarters, the Miners could not escape the 18-point hole. UTEP shot 33.3 percent (19-57) from the field, 28.0 percent (7-25) from three, and 58.3 percent (7-12) from the line. The team pulled down 34 rebounds while tallying 10 assists, six steals, and one block in the contest. They outscored the CSU bench 27-19, thanks in part to a season-best 13 points from Heaven Samayoa-Mathis. Luisa Vydrova also scored in double digits, posting 12 points to go with six rebounds. Dunja Zecevic grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and added eight points. Irene Asensio dished out a team-best four assists while Samayoa-Mathis and Portia Adams shared the team-lead in steals with two each. Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi swatted the lone block of the game for the Miners.

PICKING HER MOMENT
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis dropped a team-leading 13 points against Colorado State, marking a season high. She shot 45.4 percent from the floor, including 50.0 percent (3-6) from distance.

OFF THE GLASS
Dunja Zecevic pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds against the Rams, leading all players. She nearly earned a double-double, tacking on eight points as well. The 14 rebounds mark the most by a Miner in a single game this season.

FREE HANDOUTS
Irene Asensio tallied a career-best four assists against CSU. She led UTEP in assists and sat second in the contest.

TENSAIE FOR THREEEEE!
Ivane Tensaie is averaging 3.89 three pointers per game, ranking her second in the NCAA in the category. She is shooting 47.3 percent (35-74) from distance this season, which is good for 17th in the nation.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
Ivane Tensaie had hit at least three shots from beyond the arc and scored 10+ points in the first eight games of the season, before an off-shooting night against Colorado State ended the incredible streak. She will look to get back on track Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

vALIANT VYDROVA
Luisa Vydrova dropped 12 points against the Rams, marking her fifth straight game with 10 or more points and sixth overall.

HOME SWEET HOM
The Miners return home to take on the Lady Lions after a three-game road spell. They will play their final two non-conference contests in the Don Haskins Center.

TAKING CARE OF THE rock
UTEP recorded just 11 turnovers against CSU, a season low. They had averaged 20 turnovers in the previous two contests.

SHARP SHOOTING
The Miners made seven threes against Colorado State, marking the fifth game this season with seven or more made threes. Additionally, the Miners have made at least five threes in every contest thus far.

on target
Five UTEP players are shooting 50.0 percent or better from the floor in 2024 (minimum 10 shots attempted). Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi paces the team at 58.3) followed by Luisa Vydrova (53.4), Ndack Mbengue (53.1), Mary Moses Amaniyo (52.6), and Dunja Zecevic (51.1).

How may we assist you?
The Miners have earned 127 assists on 215 made shot attempts in 2024-25 (59.1 percent). Delma Zita is responsible for 43 of those assists (33.9 percent of all assists)

boxing out
UTEP allowed the Rams just seven offensive rebounds, tying the season-best for fewest allowed (N.M. Highlands 11/23/24).

make 'em work for it
Miner opponents are shooting just 28.7 percent from distance this season, compared to UTEP's 36.7 percent.

international love
UTEP has 10 international players on their 2024-25 roster. That is the second most in Division I, behind South Florida with 11.

SCOUTING REPORT: ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
The Lady Lions are 2-7 in Head Coach Erica Leaks's first year at the helm. They are averaging 47.8 points, 36.9 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game while shooting 30.4 percent from the floor, 18.5 percent from distance, and 69.7 percent from the foul line. Janiyah Tucker leads the team in both points per game (13.2) and steals per game (2.8). Former Miner D'Arrah Allen (8.5) and Jailah Pelly (7.4) rank second and third in scoring. Briontanay Marshall paces the Lady Lions on the glass, grabbing 4.8 rebounds per game. Nadiyah Byard (4.3) and Jazmyn Sostand (4.0) are also registering at least 4.0 boards. Pelly dishes out a team-high 2.7 assists, with Allen sitting second at 1.5. Byard and Marshall share the team-lead in blocks (0.7). Nationally, Ark.-Pine Bluff ranks 65th in offensive rebounds per game (14.0), 84th in steals per game (9.8), and 63rd in turnovers forced per game (19.89).

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE LADY LIONS
UTEP is 1-0 all time against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning the lone contest between the two sides 73-56 during the 2007-08 season.

FAST FORWARD
The Miners wrap up non-conference play Dec. 30 when they welcome Eastern New Mexico to the Don Haskins Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT. Then, UTEP opens CUSA action with three-straight on the road, facing off against LA Tech (1/2), Sam Houston (1/4) and Battle of I-10 rival NM State (1/11).

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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