GAME BOOK (PDF)
EL PASO, Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling 69-50 to NM State in the 102nd Battle of I-10 Tuesday night at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center. The Miners moved to 2-1 on the season.
UTEP battled throughout the contest but struggled to find its offensive rhythm, finishing at 34.5 percent from the field.
Armanda Sindalawa led the Miners with 17 points, while
Mary Moses Amaniyo added eight points and four rebounds.
Isabel João contributed six points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
"It was a tough ball game for us," head coach
Keitha Adams said. "Credit to New Mexico State. They played well. We had a really tough day offensively, and we didn't respond tonight."
The Miners opened the contest trading baskets with the Aggies before NM State built an early 8-4 advantage behind a pair of 3-pointers. UTEP responded with a 9-2 run, highlighted by a second-chance basket from Moses Amaniyo that gave the Miners their first lead at 11-10. Sindalawa followed with a steal and fast-break layup to extend the advantage to three. UTEP held a 13-12 lead after the opening quarter.
UTEP carried its momentum into the second period, extending its advantage to 17-14 following a second-chance basket from João. NM State battled back and took a 21-19 lead on a 3-pointer.
Aolani Woldai answered with a driving layup to tie the game at 21, but the Aggies closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 28-21 lead into the break.
NM State opened the third quarter with six unanswered points to extend its advantage to 13.
Imani Warren provided an early spark for UTEP with five consecutive points, but the Aggies continued to find success from beyond the arc, building an 18-point lead midway through the period. The Miners responded with a 6-0 run, highlighted by a fast-break layup from João and a three-point play from Sindalawa, cutting the deficit to 12. UTEP entered the final quarter trailing 50-37.
The Aggies continued to build their advantage in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 21 midway through the period. Moses Amaniyo provided a pair of second-chance baskets to bring the Miners within 17, but NM State answered with timely perimeter shooting to maintain control down the stretch and secure the 69-50 victory.
UTEP finished the night shooting 34.5 percent (19-of-55) from the field and 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the free-throw line. The Miners totaled 36 points in the paint, 20 points off turnovers and 15 second-chance points.
NM State was led by Raina Tomasicka with 26 points, while Aimée Michel added 17.
UP NEXT
The Miners continue their homestand Saturday (Nov. 14), hosting Alabama State at GECU Arena at the Don Haskins Center. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. MT. The contest will be streamed on MW+ (subscription required).
TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit
https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy?filterType=97 for more information.
SUPPORT THE MINER ATHLETIC CLUB
Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/donor-level/MTY%3D today!
For complete coverage of UTEP Women's Basketball, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPWBB (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
