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UTEP Miners

Heaven @ Delaware
UTEP Athletics
79
Winner UTEP UTEP 11-13,3-10 CUSA
72
Delaware UD 12-13,6-7 CUSA
Winner
UTEP UTEP
11-13,3-10 CUSA
79
Final
72
Delaware UD
12-13,6-7 CUSA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
UTEP UTEP 20 14 19 26 79
Delaware UD 23 12 19 18 72

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Woldai’s Career Night Powers Miners Past Delaware, 79–72


GAME BOOK (PDF) 

NEWARK, Del. 
- The UTEP women's basketball team earned a 79–72 road victory over Delaware on Saturday at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware. With the win, the Miners moved to 11–13 overall and 3–10 in Conference USA, completing a season sweep of the Fightin' Blue Hens in league play.

UTEP delivered one of its most complete offensive performances of the season, shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and dominating inside with a 54–18 advantage in points in the paint. The Miners also turned defense into offense, forcing 19 turnovers, collecting 11 steals, and converting those miscues into 24 points. Their depth proved pivotal as well, with the bench outscoring Delaware's reserves 32–15.

Freshman Aolani Woldai paced UTEP with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Delma Zita contributed a season-best 13 points, while Ndack Mbengue matched her with 13 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Ivane Tensaie added 12 points and three steals, Portia Adams finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists, and Heaven Samayoa-Mathis directed the attack with a team-high four assists.

"Great team win today," head coach Keitha Adams said. "I'm proud of how we played 40 minutes of Miner basketball."

UTEP set the tone early by attacking the rim and applying steady defensive pressure. After Delaware struck first, Mbengue answered with a put-back, and Samayoa-Mathis followed with a drive to the basket. Tensaie's pull-up jumper gave the Miners a 6–5 edge. UTEP continued to generate offense from turnovers and second-chance opportunities, with Mary Moses Amaniyo cleaning up on the glass and Zita igniting the break. Woldai closed the quarter with a strong finish inside as the Miners trailed 23–20 after one.

In the second period, UTEP quickly reclaimed the lead. Mbengue scored inside, and Samayoa-Mathis drilled a three-pointer off a takeaway to make it 25–23 just two minutes in. Brooklyn Terry provided an immediate boost with a mid-range jumper and a second-chance score, while Adams connected from beyond the arc to create separation. Delaware countered late with free throws and a three-pointer before halftime to take a narrow 35–34 advantage into the locker room.

The third quarter featured several momentum swings. Adams scored on the block to open the half, and transition baskets from Mbengue and Samayoa-Mathis kept UTEP within striking distance. Zita attacked downhill to halt a Delaware run, and Woldai buried a three in the final seconds to even the score at 53–53. A late free throw allowed the Blue Hens to carry a slim lead into the fourth.

UTEP seized control in the final period behind timely perimeter shooting and relentless rebounding. Tensaie opened with a three to tie the game at 56–56 and followed with another from deep after a turnover to spark a decisive push. Adams and Woldai continued to score in traffic, and the Miners capitalized on extra possessions to build a cushion.

Delaware cut the margin to four in the closing minute, but UTEP remained poised. Tensaie converted two free throws with 15 seconds left, and Woldai added one more from the stripe to secure the 79–72 win.

Delaware was led by Ande'a Cherisier with 17 points and seven rebounds. Kailah Correa added 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Lay Fontroy recorded 14 points and eight rebounds for the Fightin' Blue Hens.

UP NEXT
The Miners will conclude their road swing with the second meeting of the season in the Battle of I-10 at NM State (Feb. 21).
 
TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy?filterType=97 for more information.
 
 
JOIN THE 915 Campaign
UTEP Athletics has launched the "915 Campaign." Fans can support the UTEP Women's Basketball Excellence Fund, which directly impacts the success of UTEP student-athletes. To join the "915 Campaign" and become a difference maker for UTEP Athletics, please click here
 
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), @utepwbb (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.
 
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