GAME BOOK (PDF)
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball team battled throughout but fell 71–64 to Missouri State on Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center. The Miners move to 9–7 overall and 1–4 in Conference USA play.
UTEP shot efficiently, connecting at a 43.1 percent clip from the field and going 6-of-15 from beyond the arc (40.0 percent), while forcing 18 turnovers on the defensive end.
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis led the Miners with a career-high 17 points, knocking down a career-best five three-pointers while adding five rebounds.
Ndack Mbengue followed with 15 points, five steals (career high), and two blocks, while
Portia Adams chipped in 13 points and tied for the team high with five rebounds.
"For 30 minutes we are competing, but first quarters are hurting us," head coach
Keitha Adams said. "We shot the three ball well tonight, but we have to be better coming out of the gate."
Missouri State opened the game with early momentum, scoring from the free-throw line and capitalizing on transition opportunities to build an early lead. UTEP found its footing as the quarter progressed, with Mbengue scoring six early points in the paint to help the Miners settle in. Missouri State held a 19–11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The Miners continued to fight in the second period, forcing turnovers and converting inside.
Mary Moses Amaniyo provided a spark in the paint, while Samayoa-Mathis scored five points late in the half, including a three-pointer and a fast-break finish to trim the deficit. Missouri State took a 31–23 lead into the locker room.
UTEP came out strong in the third quarter, using defensive pressure to generate scoring chances. Back-to-back three-pointers from Samayoa-Mathis and
Ivane Tensaie highlighted a run that pulled the Miners within two, 34–32, midway through the period. Missouri State answered with timely baskets to regain momentum and carried a 52–45 edge into the fourth quarter.
The Miners continued to apply pressure in the final period, with Adams and Mbengue scoring inside to keep the game within reach. Samayoa-Mathis knocked down her fifth three-pointer of the night with under two minutes remaining to cut the margin to seven, but Missouri State sealed the contest at the free-throw line as UTEP fell 71-64.
UTEP finished the game with 30 rebounds, nine assists, 28 points in the paint, and strong defensive activity.
Missouri State was led by Kaemyn Bekemeier with 21 points. Lainie Douglas added 13 points and six rebounds, while Maiesha Washington chipped in 12 points and five rebounds.
UP NEXT
UTEP continues its homestand by hosting FIU Saturday afternoon (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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