GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball team (9–8, 1–5 CUSA) opens a two-game Conference USA road trip Thursday at Kennesaw State (8–8, 1–4 CUSA) inside the KSU Convocation Center. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. MT, as the Miners look to turn the page in Conference USA action.
GAME COVERAGE
Thursday at Kennesaw State –
Live Stats or
Watch Here
SCOUTING KSU
Kennesaw State enters Thursday's matchup at 8–8 overall and 1–4 in Conference USA, having dropped three straight, most recently falling 74–47 at home to Jax State on (Jan. 17). The Owls are led by head coach Octavia Blue, now in her eighth season at the helm.
Kennesaw State is averaging 65.1 points, 34.4 rebounds, and 12.7 assists per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the field, ranking inside the top 75 nationally and first in Conference USA. The Owls are also one of the league's top perimeter shooting teams, connecting at a 35.8 percent clip from three (28th nationally, first in CUSA), while shooting 65.8 percent at the free-throw line. Defensively, Kennesaw State is holding opponents to 39.4 percent shooting from the field and 32.6 percent from beyond the arc, while forcing 19.6 turnovers per game (top 75 nationally, fourth in CUSA), averaging 9.8 steals, and 3.9 blocks per contest (second in CUSA).
Kennesaw State is led by Keyarah Berry, who averages 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Shania Nichols provides a secondary scoring option with 9.9 points per contest, while Trynce Taylor contributes 8.6 points per game and leads the team with 5.9 rebounds per contest. Kailyn Fields directs the Owls' offense, averaging a team-high 4.1 assists per game while also adding 2.3 steals per contest.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners are averaging double figures in scoring:
Ivane Tensaie (11.2) and
Ndack Mbengue (10.4). Mbengue and
Mary Moses Amaniyo are each averaging near double-doubles, with Amaniyo leading the team at 8.8 rebounds per game while also contributing 9.4 points, and Mbengue close behind with 8.5 rebounds per game.
Portia Adams leads the team in assists with 2.8 per game, while
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis adds 2.4 per game and leads the Miners in steals at 1.6 per game. Amaniyo tops the team in field-goal percentage at 50.8%, Adams leads from three-point range at 38.6%, and
Delma Zita is the team's best free-throw shooter at 82.4%.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's matchup marks the fourth all-time meeting between UTEP and Kennesaw State, with the Miners seeking their first win in the series. The teams last met in the opening round of last season's Conference USA Tournament, where UTEP fell 71–63.
MINERS SHOW FIGHT, FALL 67-59 TO FIU
UTEP fell 67–59 to the FIU Panthers last Saturday at the Don Haskins Center, moving the Miners to 9–8 overall and 1–5 in Conference USA play. The team battled throughout, showing resilience and competitiveness, but FIU's timely scoring and offensive rebounds created separation. Despite multiple pushes to close the gap, the Miners were unable to fully overcome the Panthers' late-game execution.
The game opened with both teams trading baskets as the Miners matched the Panthers' physical play inside. UTEP stayed active on the glass and forced turnovers to stay within striking distance, trailing 17–16 after the first quarter. The Miners continued to apply pressure in the second, converting inside and hitting a three-pointer and free throws to keep close, but FIU led 30–26 at halftime. FIU built momentum in the third through transition scoring and offensive rebounds, extending its lead to double digits. UTEP responded with strong defensive effort and key baskets, yet the Panthers held a 51–39 advantage entering the fourth. The Miners opened the final quarter on a 12–3 run, cutting the deficit to three with crucial perimeter and inside scoring, but FIU capitalized late with extra possessions and free throws to secure the 67–59 victory.
STOPPING THE OWLS' PERIMETER ATTACK
UTEP will look to contain Kennesaw State's potent perimeter attack, as the Owls rank 28th nationally and first in Conference USA, connecting on 35.8 percent of their three-point attempts. By closing out on shooters, communicating on switches, and contesting shots, the Miners aim to disrupt one of the league's top outside shooting teams and turn perimeter defense into transition opportunities.
ADAMS SET THE PACE
Portia Adams led UTEP with a season-high 21 points, adding five rebounds and a career-high five steals against FIU. The senior guard continues to anchor the Miners' backcourt with her steady offensive presence, consistently attacking the defense and providing leadership on both ends of the floor.
Adams leading the team in assists (2.8 per game) has orchestrated the offense with precision during UTEP's recent stretch, including tying her career-high of eight assists in the conference-opening win over Delaware (Jan. 2) and seven assists against USW (Dec. 29). She continues to lead the Miners in three-point shooting at 38.6 percent, with her combination of scoring efficiency, playmaking, and defensive impact serving as a key driver of UTEP's success.
LEGIONS LOCKED IN
Sirviva Legions recorded her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds against FIU, marking her seventh game with 10 or more points and five or more rebounds and her 12th game with at least five boards. The senior guard has continued to be a consistent all-around presence, providing physical rebounding and contributing on both ends of the floor throughout the season.
Legions is UTEP's third-leading scorer, averaging just shy of double figures with 9.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest, continuing to provide a consistent all-around presence on both ends of the floor.
TENSAIEEE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie added 12 points, connecting on three three-pointers to help keep the Miners competitive against FIU. The third-year guard currently leads the team with 11.2 points per game.
Tensaie began C-USA 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).
OSADE DOMINATES THE PAINT
Sophomore forward
Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi turned in a career night against FIU, recording nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals while playing a career-high 26 minutes. The increased playing time allowed Omoruyi to showcase her versatility and defensive presence in the paint, anchoring the Miners' frontcourt and contributing on both ends of the floor. Her performance highlighted her continued growth and impact as a key young piece for UTEP.
CAREER NIGHT FOR HEAVEN
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis made her third start of the season against Missouri State, delivering a career night with 17 points, including a career-best five three-pointers, along with five rebounds and two steals.
The senior guard continues to make her mark with activity and instincts, leading the Miners with 1.7 steals per game. She has recorded two or more steals in nine games this season, including a career-high six steals earlier this year against TAMU-CC (Dec. 3).
MBENGUE SPARKS MINERS' DEFENSE
Ndack Mbengue made a significant impact against Missouri State, contributing 15 points along with a career-high five steals, 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 defensive intensity 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.
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 (29th 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 15th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.1) and sits 53rd in rebounds per game (8.8), while Mbengue is close behind at 23rd nationally in offensive rebounds per game (3.8) and 68th nationally in rebounds per game (8.5). 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
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 CUSA 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). The Miners rank among the nation's elite on the boards, sitting at 30th nationally in rebounds per game (42.4) and top 10 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (16.9), 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 in the nation's top 100 and first in Conference USA in bench points per game at 22.4
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 will continue its road swing at Jax State (Jan. 24) before returning home to the Don Haskins Center for the Battle of I-10 against NMSU (Jan. 31).
TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit
https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy?filterType=97 for more information.
.
