GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women's basketball team (9–4, 1–1 CUSA) hits the road Thursday to face Middle Tennessee (7–7, 2–0 CUSA) in Murfreesboro. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT / 6:30 p.m. CT, as the Miners look to bounce back and regain momentum in league play.
GAME COVERAGE
Thursday at Middle Tennessee –
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SCOUTING MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee enters Thursday's matchup at 7–7 overall, 2–0 in Conference USA, and 2–3 at home, having won three straight following a 69–52 road victory at Jax State (Jan. 2). The Lady Raiders are led by longtime head coach Rick Insell, now in his 20th season guiding the program.
The Lady Raiders are averaging 57.0 points, 33.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game, while shooting 38.9 percent from the field, 29.6 percent from three, and 72.4 percent at the free-throw line. Defensively, Middle Tennessee is allowing 60.6 points per game, while giving up 39.8 percent shooting and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, leaning on half-court toughness and disciplined rotations to stay in games.
Middle Tennessee is led by standout freshman Blair Baugus, who paces the team with 13.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game (35th nationally, fourth in CUSA), while also adding 2.5 steals per game (62nd nationally, fifth in CUSA). Alayna Contreras contributes 10.6 points per game and is one of the league's top free-throw shooters at 84.1 percent (71st nationally, second in CUSA). Kirston Verhulst directs the offense with a team-leading 1.8 assists per game, while Macie Phifer adds 9.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest to round out the core rotation.
MINER NOTABLES
Four Miners are averaging double figures in scoring,
Ivane Tensaie (11.5),
Ndack Mbengue (11.0),
Sirviva Legions (10.7), and
Mary Moses Amaniyo (10.3). Amaniyo and Mbengue are each averaging near double-doubles, with Amaniyo leading the team at 9.5 rpg and Mbengue close behind at 9.2 rpg.
Portia Adams is handing out a team-high 3.2 assists per game, with
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis contributing 2.7 apg. Samayoa-Mathis leads the team in steals at 1.6 spg. Amaniyo is shooting a team-best 52.5 percent from the floor, Adams leads from beyond the arc at 40.5 percent, and Zita is hitting a team-best 91.7 percent from the charity stripe.
UTEP SUFFER FIRST CUSA LOSS VS. LIBERTY
UTEP dropped its first CUSA contest of the season with an 86–66 setback to Liberty (Jan. 4) at the Don Haskins Center, moving to 9–4 overall and 1–1 in league play. The Miners battled throughout the afternoon but were unable to overcome an early deficit, as Liberty's pressure, pace, and efficiency created separation. UTEP showed resilience after a difficult opening stretch, settling in behind improved defensive activity, interior production, and consistent trips to the free-throw line.
After falling behind 22–9 following the first quarter, the Miners responded with a more composed second period, using second-chance opportunities and defensive pressure to chip away at the margin. UTEP closed the half on a positive note to pull within single digits at the break, then opened the second half with renewed energy. Despite continued effort on the glass and stretches of solid execution, Liberty answered key runs with timely scoring to maintain control, pulling away late as the Miners were unable to close the gap in the fourth.
ADAMS SETS THE PACE
Portia Adams led UTEP with 17 points against Liberty, 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 (3.2 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 and adding seven more in the victory against USW. She continues to lead UTEP in three-point shooting at 40.1 percent, with her blend of scoring efficiency and playmaking serving as a key driver of the Miners' success
AMANIYO ANCHORS THE PAINT
Mary Moses Amaniyo delivered another strong interior performance against Liberty, posting 14 points and 10 rebounds to secure her sixth double-double of the season. The sophomore forward continues to provide steady production on both ends of the floor, anchoring UTEP's presence in the paint.
Through 12 games, Amaniyo is averaging nearly a double-double with 11.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while shooting a team-best 52 percent from the field. She remains one of the Miners' most consistent interior performers, combining efficiency, physicality, and rebounding to set the tone inside.
MBENGUE INTERIOR IMPACT CONTINUES
Ndack Mbengue turned in a career night in UTEP's Conference USA–opening win over Delaware, finishing with career highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds to secure her fifth double-double of the season while adding two blocks. The senior forward controlled the paint on both ends, providing consistent scoring, rebounding, and physicality as the Miners seized momentum and pulled away down the stretch.
Mbengue followed that performance with another strong effort against Liberty, pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds to continue her steady presence on the glass. She has now recorded double-digit rebounds in eight games this season, underscoring her reliability and importance to UTEP's frontcourt production as conference play continues.
HEAVEN SPARKS BENCH PRODUCTION
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis delivered a strong all-around effort off the bench against Liberty, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists to provide a key spark for the Miners. Her energy and versatility helped steady UTEP during key stretches, contributing on both ends of the floor.
The senior guard continues to make her mark with activity and instincts, leading the Miners at 1.6 steals per game. Earlier this season, she set a career high with six steals against TAMU-CC (Dec. 3).
LEGIONS LOCKED IN
Sirviva Legions continued her consistent all-around play with seven rebounds against Liberty, 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 13 games, Legions is averaging 10.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest, giving UTEP reliable production and toughness in the backcourt.
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 six double-doubles this season (21st nationally), while Mbengue follows with five double-doubles (41st nationally). Together, they consistently provide physicality, rebounding, and second-chance opportunities that drive the Miners' interior identity.
Amaniyo ranks 10th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.3) and sits 32nd in rebounds per game at 9.5, while Mbengue is close behind at 13th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.2) and 41st nationally in rebounds per game (9.2). 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
There are over 2000 DI players with at least 250 minutes played this season.
Mary Moses Amaniyo leads all of them with 7.8 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes played. That is on pace for the best mark by a CUSA player (min. 20.0 MPG) since UCF's Emma Cannon in 2009-10 (8.6).
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie stayed hot from beyond the arc against Delaware, pouring in 20 points while knocking down six three-pointers. The graduate guard's timely perimeter scoring helped fuel UTEP's second-quarter surge and provided consistent spacing as the Miners seized momentum and pulled away down the stretch.
Tensaie previously 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). Her eight made three-pointers set a UTEP single-game record, surpassing her previous mark of seven. Earlier in the week, she added 19 points on 5 for 8 from beyond the arc in the road win at Kansas City (Nov. 25).
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 12 games, the Miners rank among the nation's elite on the boards, sitting 15th nationally in rebounds per game (44.8) and top five nationally in offensive rebounds per game (17.8), 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 25.0. Through 13 games, UTEP holds a 325–213 advantage in bench scoring, outpacing opponents by nearly nine points per game (opponents averaging 16.3).
The Miners' second unit has supplied consistent offensive balance throughout the rotation, led by
Mary Moses Amaniyo, who is averaging 10.3 points per game off the bench.
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis adds another reliable spark with 6.1 points per game, giving UTEP multiple threats capable of shifting momentum and sustaining scoring when starters rest. The combination of scoring depth, energy, and versatility has made UTEP's bench one of the most productive units 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.
EXTRA EFFORT, EXTRA POINTS
UTEP consistently turned its rebounding advantage into scoring, outpacing opponents 196–112 in second-chance points across 13 games this season. The Miners produced double-digit second-chance points in nine of their first 13 games, highlighted by a 17–0 margin in the overtime win over UT Martin, a season-best 29–5 advantage against USW, and 26 second-chance points versus WNMU.
So far this season, UTEP is averaging 15.0 second-chance points per contest while limiting opponents to just 8.4, turning effort and offensive rebounding into a consistent scoring advantage.
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.
UP NEXT
UTEP continues Conference USA action on the road at WKU (Jan. 10) before returning home for a two-game homestand against Missouri State (Jan. 15) and FIU (Jan. 17).
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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