GAME BOOK (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team snapped a seven-game skid in emphatic fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating New Mexico State 79–69 in the Battle of I-10 at the Don Haskins Center. The win improves the Miners to 10–10 overall and 2–7 in Conference USA play.
UTEP leaned on defensive pressure, transition scoring, and poise at the free-throw line to pull away from the Aggies, forcing 23 turnovers while recording 12 steals. The Miners also dominated the open floor, holding a 23–10 advantage in fast-break points and shooting 80.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Portia Adams delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, tying her season highs with 21 points and seven rebounds while adding seven assists and going a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.
Mary Moses Amaniyo contributed 16 points and seven rebounds,
Ndack Mbengue notched her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and
Ivane Tensaie connected on three three-pointers to finish with 12 points.
UTEP shot 40.7 percent from the field while holding NM State to just 25.0 percent from beyond the arc. The Miners also won the rebounding battle, 41–33.
"I thought rebounding was the big deal today," head coach
Keitha Adams said. "The team has been hungry, and we wanted it badly. Today was a much-needed win and a good rivalry win for us."
NM State struck first after winning the opening tip, but UTEP quickly responded as
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis drained a fast-break jumper to even the score, followed by an end-to-end layup from Adams to set the Miners' tempo. The quarter remained tight, with Mbengue anchoring the paint defensively and generating second-chance opportunities. Adams' three-pointer midway through the period gave UTEP its first lead, and free throws from Mbengue extended it, sending the Miners into the second quarter ahead 16–14.
UTEP opened the second quarter with an 8–0 run, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Adams, including a second-chance triple that forced a New Mexico State timeout. Tensaie kept the Miners rolling with a deep three off an offensive rebound, while Mbengue and
Sirviva Legions dominated the glass. NM State countered with a pair of triples, but UTEP's pressure defense and scoring on second-chance possessions allowed the Miners to carry a 37–27 lead into halftime.
The Aggies started the third quarter with a three-pointer, but UTEP quickly answered by attacking the rim and converting at the free-throw line. The Miners steadily pushed their lead, highlighted by a steal and layup from Legions that gave UTEP its largest advantage of the game at 13 points just three minutes into the second half. NM State chipped away late in the quarter, but a jumper from Amaniyo sent the Miners into the fourth leading 54–50.
UTEP maintained control in the fourth quarter, with Samayoa-Mathis hitting back-to-back jumpers to keep the lead around eight. Mbengue later pushed the margin back into double digits, while Amaniyo added points inside and at the free-throw line. NM State cut into the lead at times, but timely baskets and free throws from Tensaie, Amaniyo, and Adams allowed the Miners to hold firm, closing out a 79–69 Battle of I-10 victory.
NM State was led by Imani Warren with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Lucia Yenes added 20 points and Keira Hudson chipped in 12.
UP NEXT
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