GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (9-10, 1-7 CUSA) returns to the Don Haskins Center Saturday for a marquee rivalry matchup, hosting NM State (7-13, 3-5 CUSA) in the 100th edition of the Battle of I-10. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT as the Miners look to turn the page in Conference USA action. The afternoon will also feature a special celebration, as former Miner and program legend Natasha Lacy will be honored for her lasting legacy at UTEP.
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday vs. NM State –
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SCOUTING NM STATE
NM State enters Saturday's matchup at 7–13 overall and 3–5 in Conference USA and has dropped its last two contests. The Aggies most recently fell on the road at Kennesaw State, 70–55 (Jan. 24), and are led by head coach Jody Adams, who is in her fourth season at the helm.
NM State is averaging 58.3 points, 36.0 rebounds, and 12.2 assists per game while shooting 40.4 percent from the field, 26.6 percent from three-point range, and 62.1 percent at the free-throw line. Defensively, the Aggies are allowing 66.6 points per contest and holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc, with their three-point defense ranking third in Conference USA. NM State is also forcing 18.75 turnovers per game, ranking inside the top 100 nationally and among the top five in CUSA.
NM State is led by Lucia Yenes, who averages a team-high 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Imani Warren provides a secondary scoring option at 12.7 points per contest while also directing the Aggies' offense with a team-high 2.5 assists per game. Morane Dossou paces NM State on the boards, averaging 8.5 rebounds per game (top 75 nationally, fifth in CUSA), while contributing 5.9 points per contest.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners are averaging double figures in scoring:
Ivane Tensaie (10.5) and
Portia Adams (10.3).
Mary Moses Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both posting near double-doubles. Amaniyo provides a spark off the bench, leading the team with 8.7 rebounds per game and adding 9.6 points, while Mbengue contributes 7.9 rebounds and 9.6 points per contest. Adams leads the team in assists with 2.7 per game, followed by
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis with 2.3, who also tops the Miners in steals at 1.6 per game. Amaniyo leads the team in field-goal percentage at 51.8%, Adams paces the squad from three-point range at 38.0%, and
Delma Zita is the team's best free-throw shooter at 85.7%.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's matchup marks the 100th all-time meeting between UTEP and NM State, with the Aggies holding a 53–46 advantage in the series. NM State claimed both meetings in last season's Battle of I-10.
UTEP COMES UP SHORT AT JAX STATE
UTEP dropped a 73–60 decision at Jax State (Jan. 24) at Pete Mathews Coliseum, closing the road trip with the Miners moving to 9–10 overall and 1–7 in Conference USA play. UTEP delivered a balanced effort on both ends, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc while holding a 36–28 advantage in points in the paint. The Miners also created extra opportunities by winning the second-chance battle (13–7), scoring 12 fast-break points, forcing 13 turnovers, and recording eight steals, but Jax State's efficiency late proved decisive.
The game opened with an aggressive, physical pace as UTEP attacked inside and applied defensive pressure. A three-pointer in the final seconds of the first quarter kept the Miners within two at 17–15. UTEP continued to battle in the second quarter, using offensive rebounding and paint touches to stay close, though the Gamecocks carried a 35–27 lead into halftime. The Miners came out strong in the third quarter, using pace and pressure to fuel a 10–0 run that pulled them within one, but Jax State responded to regain separation. UTEP continued to compete in the fourth, cutting the deficit to four multiple times, yet the Gamecocks executed down the stretch at the free-throw line to secure the 73–60 CUSA victory.
BATTLE OF I-10 HISTORY
Saturday's matchup marks the 100th all-time meeting in the Battle of I-10, one of the most storied rivalries in UTEP Women's Basketball history. New Mexico State holds a 53–46 advantage in the series entering the milestone contest. The Aggies claimed both meetings during the 2023–24 season, snapping UTEP's recent run of success in the rivalry. The Miners' largest margin of victory in the series came on Nov. 29, 2011, a 63–27 win inside the Don Haskins Center.
Despite last season's results, the Miners own the most recent winning streak in the series, putting together a nine-game stretch from Nov. 13, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2024. The upcoming game adds another chapter to a rivalry defined by competitive battles, momentum swings, and regional pride as the two programs meet for the 100th time.
MINER LEGEND LACY RETURNS HOME
UTEP Women's Basketball will honor Natasha Lacy during Saturday's game, celebrating one of the program's all-time greats. An El Paso native and Miner from 2007–2008, Lacy was an AP All-American, Conference USA Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference USA selection, All-Defensive Team honoree, WNBA Draft pick, and the program's career leader in steals per game.
Lacy helped lead UTEP to its first Conference USA championship, a perfect 16–0 league record, and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance, while setting the single-season school record with 108 steals. Known for her competitiveness, leadership, and impact on both ends of the floor, Lacy has also been inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a true hometown legend and a lasting inspiration for Miner Nation.
ADAMS SETS THE PACE
Portia Adams paced UTEP with 15 points at Jax State (Jan. 24), continuing a strong stretch of play for the senior guard. Adams is averaging 15.8 points per game over her last four contests and is scoring 10 points per game so far this season, matching her scoring average from a year ago. She remains a steady presence in the Miners' backcourt, consistently applying pressure offensively while providing leadership on both ends of the floor. Adams is also closing in on a career milestone, sitting just 30 points shy of 1,000 career points.
Adams, who leads the team in assists (2.7 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 also continues to lead the Miners in three-point shooting at 38.0 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 posted 14 points and 11 rebounds at Jax State (Jan. 24), recording her second double-double in the last three games. The performance marked her ninth game this season with 10 or more points and five or more rebounds, as the senior guard continues to contribute on both ends of the floor.
Legions is averaging 9.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, providing consistent production as an all-around contributor. She is the first UTEP guard to average at least nine points and five rebounds since Erin Wilson in 2023-24 (12.0 ppg, 8.1rpg).
AMANIYO ANCHORS UTEP INSIDE
Mary Moses Amaniyo turned in another solid interior effort at Jax State, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds. The sophomore forward continued to provide UTEP with physicality and consistent energy in the paint, impacting the game on both ends of the floor with her toughness and rebounding presence.
Amaniyo is averaging 9.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest while shooting a team-best 51.8 percent from the field. She remains one of UTEP's most reliable interior contributors, combining efficiency, strength, and effort to anchor the Miners inside.
ZITA THE LINE LEADER
Delma Zita delivered a season-high eight points at Kennesaw State (Jan. 22), converting tough finishes at the rim and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The graduate guard continues to be UTEP's most reliable free-throw shooter, hitting 85.7 percent this season and missing just three attempts through 19 games (18–21). Zita's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the paint and at the line provides the Miners with consistent offensive production and poise under pressure.
OSADE DOMINATES THE PAINT
Sophomore forward
Osadebamwen Igbinedion Omoruyi turned in a career night against FIU (Jan. 17), 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.
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 (41st nationally, 3rd in CUSA), 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 19th nationally, third in CUSA in offensive rebounds per game (3.8) and sits 58th nationally, third in CUSA in rebounds per game (8.7), while Mbengue is close behind averaging 7.9 rebounds per game. 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.
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 37th nationally in rebounds per game (41.7) and top 15 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (16.3), 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 21.9.
The Miners second unit has provided consistent offensive balance and versatility, making the Miners' bench currently the most productive in the conference.
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.
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.
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.
UP NEXT
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