GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball team (9–6, 1–3 C-USA) returns home Thursday for a Conference USA matchup against league newcomer Missouri State (11–5, 3–0 C-USA) at the Don Haskins Center. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT, as the Miners look to defend home court in Conference USA action. The game will serve as the Miners' "Mental Health Game" an initiative from Conference USA to promote Mental Health Awareness.
GAME COVERAGE
Thursday vs. Missouri State –
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SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE
Missouri State enters Thursday's matchup at 11-5 overall, 3-0 in Conference USA, and 4-1 on the road, riding a three‑game winning streak following a 63-47 home victory against Jax State (Jan. 10). The Lady Bears are led by head coach Beth Cunningham, now in her fourth season at the helm. The Lady Bears reached the semifinals of the MVC Tournament a season ago and continued postseason play with an appearance in the 2025 WBIT, advancing to the second round.
Missouri State is averaging 67.1 points, 39.4 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game, while shooting 39.3 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from three, and 73.9 percent at the free-throw line. The Lady Bears rank inside the top 75 nationally and first in Conference USA in free-throw percentage, while also getting to the line at a high rate, averaging 24.69 free-throw attempts per game (7th nationally, 2nd in C-USA) and 18.25 made free throws per game (5th nationally, 1st in C-USA). Defensively, Missouri State is holding opponents to 63.9 points per game, limiting teams to 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 28.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Missouri State is led by Kaemyn Bekemeier, who paces the Lady Bears with 18.4 points per game (44th nationally, 3rd in C-USA) and 8.7 rebounds per contest (61st nationally, 6th in C-USA). Lainie Douglas provides a strong secondary scoring presence at 12.7 points per game while adding 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game (69th nationally, 2nd in C-USA). Maycee James helps set the tone on both ends, leading the team with 2.7 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game, rounding out Missouri State's core rotation.
MINER NOTABLES
Three Miners are averaging double figures in scoring,
Ivane Tensaie (11.4),
Mary Moses Amaniyo (10.2), and
Ndack Mbengue (10.1). Amaniyo and Mbengue are each averaging near double-doubles, with Amaniyo leading the team at 9.5 rpg and Mbengue close behind at 8.8 rpg.
Portia Adams is handing out a team-high 3.0 assists per game, with
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis contributing 2.3 apg. Samayoa-Mathis leads the team in steals at 1.7 spg. Amaniyo is shooting a team-best 52.6 percent from the floor, Adams leads from beyond the arc at 36.6 percent, and
Delma Zita is hitting a team-best 80.0 percent from the charity stripe.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's matchup marks the second all-time meeting between UTEP and Missouri State, with the Lady Bears winning the lone meeting, 80–73, on Dec. 4, 2009, at the Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic.
MINERS FALL 68-59 IN CUSA ACTION
UTEP dropped their second CUSA road contest Saturday afternoon, falling 68–59 at Western Kentucky inside E. A. Diddle Arena, as the Miners moved to 9–6 overall and 1–3 in league play. UTEP battled throughout the contest, showing resilience and competitiveness, but early scoring droughts and timely WKU runs created separation. Despite multiple pushes to close the gap, the Miners were unable to fully overcome the early deficit.
WKU jumped out to an early 13–1 lead, but UTEP cut the deficit with timely 3-pointers and second-chance baskets, trimming the margin to 19–12 after 1. The Miners stayed aggressive in the second quarter, forcing turnovers and generating transition opportunities, but WKU's timely shooting and inside scoring gave them a 32–24 halftime lead. UTEP opened the second half strong, tying the game at 41 midway through the third, but WKU closed the period with a 9–0 run to lead 50–41 entering the fourth. UTEP continued to fight, cutting the deficit to single digits, but WKU capitalized on fast-break baskets and late 3-pointers, with the Mines falling 68-59.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie led UTEP against WKU with a team-high 16 points and tied for a team-high three assists, connecting on four three-pointers to keep the Miners competitive throughout the contest. The third-year guard currently leads the team with 11.4 points per game.
Tensaie began CUSA play against Delaware (Jan. 2) with a hot shooting performance, pouring in 20 points and knocking down six three-pointers. Earlier in the season, she delivered one of the best weeks of her UTEP career to claim Conference USA Player of the Week honors, highlighted by a season-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting from three against Denver (Nov. 29), which set a UTEP single-game record, and 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc in a road win at Kansas City (Nov. 25).
MBENGUE INTERIOR IMPACT CONTINUES
Ndack Mbengue led UTEP against WKU with a team-high 11 rebounds and added nine points, controlling the paint and helping the Miners stay competitive throughout the contest. The senior forward has been a consistent presence on the boards and in the post, providing scoring, rebounding, and physicality for the team.
Mbengue began CUSA play against Delaware (Jan. 2) with a career night, posting 26 points and 14 rebounds to secure her fifth double-double of the season while adding two blocks. She followed that performance with a strong effort against Liberty (Jan. 4), pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds, and has now recorded double-digit rebounds in nine games this season, underscoring her importance to UTEP's frontcourt production.
AMANIYO ANCHORS THE PAINT
Mary Moses Amaniyo delivered another strong interior performance at Middle Tennessee (Jan. 8), leading the Miners with 14 points and 10 rebounds to record her second straight double-double and seventh of the season, while making her first start of the year. The sophomore forward was a steady presence on both ends of the floor, providing UTEP with physicality and consistent effort in the paint throughout the night.
Through 15 games, Amaniyo is averaging nearly a double-double with 10.2 ppg and 9.5 rebounds while shooting a team-best 52.6 percent from the field. She remains one of UTEP's most reliable interior performers, combining efficiency, toughness, and rebounding to anchor the Miners inside.
HEAVEN BRINGS DEFENSE IN FIRST START
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis made her first start of the season against Middle Tennessee (Jan. 8), bringing energy and defensive intensity while contributing across multiple areas. The senior guard finished with two steals, helping spark UTEP's defensive effort and activity in passing lanes.
The senior guard continues to make her mark with activity and instincts, leading the Miners at 1.7 steals per game. Earlier this season, she set a career high with six steals against TAMU-CC (Dec. 3).
ADAMS SET THE PACE
Portia Adams led UTEP with 17 points against Liberty (Jan. 4), marking her fourth straight game scoring in double figures as she continues to anchor the Miners' backcourt. The senior guard consistently attacked the defense and provided a steady offensive presence throughout the contest.
Adams also leads the team in assists (3.0 per game) and has orchestrated the offense with precision during the Miners' recent stretch, dishing out a career-high eight assists in the conference-opening win over Delaware (Jan. 2) and adding seven more in the victory against USW (Dec. 29). She continues to lead UTEP in three-point shooting at 36.6 percent, with her blend of scoring efficiency and playmaking serving as a key driver of the Miners' success.
LEGIONS LOCKED IN
Sirviva Legions continued her consistent all-around play with seven rebounds against Liberty (Jan. 4), marking her 10th game this season with 5 or more boards. The senior guard has been a dependable presence on both ends of the floor, providing physical rebounding from the guard position throughout the season.
Through 15 games, Legions is averaging 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DUO
Forwards
Ndack Mbengue and
Mary Moses Amaniyo continue to anchor UTEP's frontcourt as one of the most productive interior duos in the nation. Amaniyo has recorded seven double-doubles this season (21st nationally), while Mbengue follows with five double-doubles. Together, they consistently provide physicality, rebounding, and second-chance opportunities that drive the Miners' interior identity.
Amaniyo ranks fourth nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.4) and sits 37th in rebounds per game (9.5), while Mbengue is close behind at 20th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.1) and 55th nationally in rebounds per game (8.8). The pair's sustained production on the glass continues to give UTEP a nightly advantage and establishes the Miners as one of the nation's strongest rebounding teams.
AMANIYO TOPS THE NATION
Entering last week,
Mary Moses Amaniyo leads all Division I players with at least 250 minutes played this season, averaging 7.8 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes. That mark is on pace to be the best by a C-USA player (min. 20.0 MPG) since UCF's Emma Cannon in 2009-10, who averaged 8.6.
QUARTER SCORING MILESTONES
UTEP has seen three individual 14-point quarters this season, each delivered by a different Miner and tying for the third-most points scored by a player in a single quarter in program history.
HISTORIC REBOUNDING EFFORT
UTEP delivered a historic rebounding performance in the win over University of the Southwest, pulling down a program-record 74 total rebounds and a program-record 39 offensive boards.
The outing marked the second time this season UTEP has rewritten the record book on the offensive glass, after previously setting the program mark with 33 offensive rebounds against Western New Mexico (Nov. 11). Through 15 games, the Miners rank among the nation's elite on the boards, top 25 nationally in rebounds per game (43.27) and top 10 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (17.1), continuing to establish rebounding as a defining strength of this team.
FAST STARTS, HISTORIC RESULTS
UTEP matched a program record with 56 first-half points against USW (Dec 29), tying the most points scored in a half in program history.
Mary Moses Amaniyo fueled the surge with 14 points in the second quarter. The Miners' early offensive rhythm, pace, and ball movement set the tone, as UTEP capitalized on second-chance opportunities and transition looks to build a commanding 56-22 halftime advantage.
The performance continued a trend of strong opening surges this season. UTEP also posted 30 points in the first quarter against Nicholls (Nov. 8), tying for the 10th-most points in a quarter in program history, and erupted for 29 points in the third quarter at Kansas City (Nov. 25). The Miners' ability to generate early momentum and sustain offensive pressure has been a consistent driver of their success.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
UTEP's depth continues to be one of its strongest assets, with the Miners ranking top 75 nationally and first in Conference USA in bench points per game at 24.7. Through 15 games, UTEP holds a 370–266 advantage in bench scoring, outpacing opponents by seven points per game (opponents averaging 17.7).
The Miners second unit has provided consistent offensive balance and versatility, making the Miners' bench one of the most productive in the conference.
DEFENSE DEFINES THE MINERS
UTEP opened the year with an impressive defensive run, holding its first seven opponents under 65 points. The streak marked the longest by any Conference USA program to begin a season since Southern Miss accomplished the feat in 2003–04, holding its first 10 opponents below the threshold.
It was also the first time in 29 years that UTEP started a season with seven straight opponents under 65 points. The last occurrence came during the 1996–97 campaign, when the Miners limited 11 consecutive opponents below the mark to open the year.
QUARTER FRENZY
Ivane Tensaie has joined one of the rarest scoring lists in program history. With her previous 14-point third quarter at Kansas City (Nov. 25) and 13-point fourth quarter vs. FIU last season (Jan. 18, 2025), she is now one of only four players in UTEP history to record multiple quarters with 13+ points.
The exclusive list includes:
- Sparkle Taylor - Four times ('16-17)
- Najala Howell - Three times ('17-18)
- Katarina Zec - Two times ('17-18) ('19-20)
AMANIYO JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Mary Moses Amaniyo continued to establish herself as one of the nation's elite rebounders, posting two of the top performances in program history within the first month of the season. She opened the year with a UTEP-record 22 rebounds against PVAMU (Nov. 3) and later grabbed 18 boards in the win over UT Martin (Nov. 22).
Amaniyo is the first Miner since Kayla Thornton in 2013-14 to record multiple games with 18 or more rebounds in the same season. Her presence on the glass continues to anchor UTEP's interior play and generate critical extra-possession opportunities.
SENIOR 5
For the first time since UTEP began tracking lineup records in 1983, the Miners started their first 13 games with an all-senior starting lineup. The veteran group provided experience, leadership, and stability, anchoring UTEP's strong start to the season.
GOING BACK-TO-BACK
UTEP earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks earlier this season, marking the program's first back-to-back weekly awards since the 2013–14 campaign.
Mary Moses Amaniyo claimed the honor on Nov. 24, followed by
Ivane Tensaie on Dec. 1 after her record-setting performance from beyond the arc. The Miners' last pair of consecutive honorees prior to this season came in 2014, when Kayla Thornton earned the award on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.
UP NEXT
UTEP continues its homestand by hosting FIU (Jan. 17) before heading on the road for a pair of CUSA matchups at Kennesaw State (Jan. 22) and Jax State (Jan. 24).
TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit
https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy?filterType=97 for more information.
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