GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (11–13, 3–10 CUSA) will conclude its three-game road trip Saturday at NM State (8–17, 4–9 CUSA) inside the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M., with tipoff set for 2 p.m. MT. The matchup marks the 101st Battle of I-10 meeting and the second contest between the two programs this season, following UTEP's victory in El Paso.
Jon Teicher and Steve Yellen will be on the call on "The Home of UTEP Basketball" 600 ESPN El Paso.
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday at NM State –
Live Stats /
Watch Here /
Listen Here
SCOUTING NM STATE
NM State enters Saturday's matchup at 8-17 overall and 4-9 in Conference USA play. The Aggies are coming off a 67–42 road loss over Liberty (Feb. 14) and are led by head coach Jody Adams, who is in her fourth season at the helm.
NM State is averaging 58.4 points, 35.2 rebounds, and 11.8 assists per game this season. The aggies are shooting 40.6 percent from the field, 26.5 percent from three-point range, and 63.9 percent at the free-throw line. Defensively, NM State is allowing 67.1 points per game, while opponents are shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 30.0 percent form beyond the arc. The Aggies are particularly disruptive on the defensive end, forcing 18.2 turnovers per game (top five in CUSA), while averaging 9.7 steals per contest (fifth in CUSA).
NM State is led by Lucia Yenes, who averages 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, providing consistent scoring and versatility on the offensive end. Imani Warren adds production in the backcourt, contributing 12.8 points per contest while leading the team with 2.4 assists per game and 2.2 steals per outing, giving the Aggies a strong two-way presence. In the frontcourt, Morane Dossou anchors the glass, averaging a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game to go along with 5.6 points per contest, supplying physicality and rebounding strength inside.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners are averaging double figures in scoring:
Portia Adams (10.3) and
Ivane Tensaie (10.3).
Mary Moses Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both posting near double-doubles. Amaniyo leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game along with 9.6 points, while Mbengue contributes 7.5 rebounds and 9.2 points per contest. Adams leads the team in assists with 2.6 per game, followed by
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis and
Delma Zita with 2.3, Samayoa-Mathis also tops the Miners in steals at 1.5 per game. Amaniyo paces the squad in field-goal percentage at 52.3%, Adams leads from three-point range at 39.3% and also tops the team at the free-throw line at 77.5%
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game marks the 101st all-time meeting between UTEP and NM State, with UTEP holding a 47–53 record in the series. The Miners claimed the first Battle of I-10 matchup this season in El Paso.
MINERS EARN ROAD WIN AT DELAWARE, 79-72
The UTEP women's basketball team secured a 79–72 road victory over Delaware on Saturday at the Bob Carpenter Center, improving to 11–13 overall and 3–10 in Conference USA play. The Miners delivered one of their most efficient offensive performances of the season, shooting 52.3 percent from the field while controlling the paint with a 54–18 advantage in points inside. UTEP also turned defensive pressure into production, forcing 19 turnovers, recording 11 steals, and converting those opportunities into 24 points, while the bench provided a significant boost in a balanced team effort.
UTEP set the tone early by attacking the rim and applying consistent defensive pressure, staying within striking distance through a competitive first half before heading into the break down just one, 35–34. The Miners continued to trade momentum in the third quarter, using transition baskets and second-chance opportunities to keep the game within reach heading into the final period. UTEP erupted for a 26-point fourth quarter and seized control behind timely perimeter shooting, relentless rebounding, and poise at the free-throw line, creating separation late and closing out the 79–72 victory to complete a season sweep of the Fightin' Blue Hens.
POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS
With four games remaining before the Conference USA Tournament, Saturday's Battle of I-10 carries added weight in the league standings. The top 10 of 12 teams qualify for the conference postseason, and NM State currently sits in 10th place, with UTEP just behind in 11th.
UTEP claimed the first meeting of the season series with a 79–69 victory in El Paso (Jan. 31), giving the Miners the head-to-head edge entering the rematch. A UTEP win would move the Miners into 10th place with four games still to play, positioning them inside the tournament field down the stretch, while NM State will look to defend its spot and force a split in the rivalry series.
MINERS SEEK SEASON SWEEP OF NM STATE
UTEP enters the matchup with an opportunity to secure a season sweep of NM State, a feat the Miners last accomplished in 2022–23 and one that has not been achieved under head coach
Keitha Adams since the 2013–14 season.
UTEP claimed the first meeting of the Battle of I-10 this season with a 79–69 victory in El Paso (Jan. 31), using balanced scoring, defensive pressure, and control of the tempo to pull away late. With momentum from that earlier result, the Miners will look to replicate their physicality and execution on both ends, while NM State aims to defend home court and avoid the sweep in a rivalry matchup that consistently carries added intensity and significance.
WOLDAI'S GROWTH PAYING DIVIDENDS
Aolani Woldai continues to make a strong impact off the bench, most recently delivering a career-high 17 points to lead UTEP to a 79–72 road victory at Delaware (Feb. 14) and complete the season sweep of the Fightin' Blue Hens. The freshman guard has seen her role expand in recent weeks, averaging 19.0 minutes per game over the last four contests, while providing consistent energy and production on both ends of the floor.
ZITA'S SEASON BEST
Delma Zita continued her strong play with a season-high 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists at Delaware (Feb. 14). The graduate guard provided a spark with her tempo in transition and ability to create on both ends.
Zita built on that performance after recording 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists against Sam Houston (Feb. 7), with her veteran presence and versatility continuing to add stability to UTEP's backcourt rotation.
MBENGUE FRONTCOURT IMPACT
Ndack Mbengue continues to anchor UTEP's frontcourt, most recently scoring 13 points with six rebounds in the road win at Delaware (Feb. 14). The senior forward remains a steady presence in the post, providing physicality, rebounding, and interior defense.
Earlier this season, Mbengue recorded her sixth double-double of the year with a 12-point, 11-rebound performance in the win over NM State (Jan. 31) and opened Conference USA play with a career outing against Delaware (Jan. 2), totaling 26 points and 14 rebounds with two blocks and has recorded six double doubles this season.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continues to be a key perimeter threat for UTEP, most recently posting 12 points and a career-high three steals in the Miners' 79–72 road win at Delaware (Feb. 13). The third-year guard is tied for the team lead in scoring at 10.3 points per game and remains one of CUSA's top shooters from beyond the arc.
Tensaie has knocked down 60 three-pointers this season, ranking among the top 75 nationally and third in CUSA while averaging 2.5 made threes per game. She opened league play with 20 points and six three-pointers against Delaware (Jan. 2) and earned CUSA Player of the Week honors following a 26-point performance on eight made triples against Denver, a UTEP single-game record.
ADAMS CONSISTENT PRODUCTION
Portia Adams continues to be a steady presence for UTEP in CUSA play, scoring in double figures in more than half of the Miners' league games this season. She most recently contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in UTEP's road win at Delaware, providing reliable production and facilitating the offense in a balanced team effort.
A dependable two-way contributor, Adams remains a key piece in UTEP's offensive rhythm while setting the tone defensively. She leads the Miners in assists (2.6 per game) and three-point percentage (38.3%), combining efficient perimeter shooting with playmaking ability.
HEAVEN ON THE HEIST
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis continues to set the tone for the Miners, most recently posting seven points, four assists, and three rebounds in UTEP's road win at Delaware. The senior guard provides a steady presence in the backcourt with her defensive pressure and balanced play.
She leads UTEP in total steals (35) and averages a team-best 1.5 steals per game, with her ball pressure and ability to create transition opportunities remaining central to the Miners' identity.
AMANIYO ANCHORS UTEP INSIDE
Mary Moses Amaniyo delivered another strong interior effort against Liberty (Feb. 12), finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high four steals. The sophomore forward brought consistent energy on both ends of the floor, impacting the game with her activity on the glass, defensive presence, and efficient scoring around the rim.
Amaniyo averages 9.6 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds per game, while leading UTEP in field-goal percentage at 52.3 percent.
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, while Mbengue follows with six double-doubles. Together, they consistently provide physicality, rebounding, and second-chance opportunities that drive the Miners' interior identity.
Amaniyo ranks fourth in CUSA in offensive rebounds per game (3.5) and sits 73rd nationally and fourth in the league in rebounds per contest (8.5), while Mbengue is close behind at 7.5 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.
NATIONALLY RANKED ON THE GLASS
The Miners continue to establish rebounding as a defining strength, ranking among the nation's leaders in the top 75 nationally in rebounds per game (39.7) and top 25 nationally in offensive rebounds per contest (15.1).
UTEP delivered a historic performance on the glass in its win over the University of the Southwest, pulling down a program-record 74 total rebounds, including a program-best 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 on Nov. 11.
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.
EXPLOSIVE FRAMES
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, as the Miners' offensive rhythm, pace, and ball movement set the tone. UTEP capitalized on second-chance opportunities and transition looks to build a commanding 56–22 halftime advantage.
The performance reflected a season-long trend of explosive scoring stretches for UTEP. The Miners most recently closed their road win at Delaware (Feb. 14) with 26 points in the fourth quarter, while also scoring 30 points in the opening quarter against Nicholls (Nov. 8), tying for the 10th-most points in a quarter in program history, and erupting for 29 points in the third quarter at Kansas City (Nov. 25). UTEP's ability to generate momentum and sustain offensive pressure at key points of the game has been a consistent driver of its 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 21.8.
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)
MILESTONE WATCH
- Ivane Tensaie ranks fourth all-time on UTEP's career three-pointers list (180) and is three triples shy of third all-time.
- Portia Adams recently surpassed the 1,000-career-point milestone vs Sam Houston (Feb 7), marking a significant achievement in her collegiate career.
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
UTEP returns to the Don Haskins Center for its final two home games of the season, hosting Jax State (Feb. 26) before welcoming Kennesaw State (Feb. 28) for Senior Day.
TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit
https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/buy?filterType=97 for more information.
.
