GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (12–13, 4–10 CUSA) opens its final home stretch Thursday against Jax State at the Don Haskins Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT in the second meeting of the season and the first of UTEP's final two home games. Thursday's contest will serve as UTEP's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game, honoring cancer survivors and uniting the community in the fight against cancer, while celebrating Black History Month.
GAME COVERAGE
Thursday vs. Jax State –
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SCOUTING JAX STATE
Jacksonville State enters Thursday's matchup at 13–14 overall and 7–8 in Conference USA play. The Gamecocks are coming off a 69–68 home win over Sam Houston (Feb. 21) and are led by head coach Rick Pietri, who is in his 13th season at the helm.
The Gamecocks currently sits seventh in CUSA standings, while averaging 62.1 points, 37.9 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game. Jax State shoots 36.1 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three, and 69.6 percent at the free-throw line, while averaging 8.1 made three-pointers per game (top 50 nationally; first in CUSA). Defensively, JSU allows just 58.6 points per game (40th nationally; second in CUSA), holds opponents to 40.6 percent shooting from the field and 29.3 percent from beyond the arc, and leads the league in both fouls committed (13.5/g) and turnovers (14.0/g).
Mya Barnes leads Jax State with 10.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while Adriana Jones contributes 9.9 points per contest. Kyera Thornsbury paces the Gamecocks in assists at 2.6 per game, along with 6.0 points per outing.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners are averaging double figures in scoring, led by
Portia Adams (10.4 ppg) and
Ivane Tensaie (10.3 ppg).
Mary Moses Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both nearing double-doubles, as Amaniyo leads the team with 8.4 rebounds per game to go along with 9.3 points per contest, while Mbengue adds 9.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Adams also paces the Miners in assists at 2.6 per game, followed by
Delma Zita at 2.4, and
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis leads the team in steals at 1.4 per outing. Amaniyo tops the squad in field-goal percentage at 52.0 percent, while Adams leads from three-point range (38.5 percent) and at the free-throw line (76.7 percent).
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's matchup marks the sixth meeting all-time between the two programs. The Miners are 2–3 in the series after a 73–60 setback at Jax State earlier this season.
TEMPO VS. TOUGHNESS IN JAX STATE MATCHUP
The UTEP women's basketball team earned a 69–58 road victory over NM State on Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M., improving to 12–13 overall and 4–10 in CUSA play while completing a season sweep of the Aggies for the first time since the 2022–23 season. The Miners delivered an efficient effort, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and going 14-of-16 at the free-throw line (87.5 percent), while controlling the paint with a 32–10 advantage and limiting NM State to 33.3 percent shooting.
UTEP weathered an early NM State push before gaining momentum in the second quarter to carry a narrow lead into halftime. The Miners seized control after the break, opening the third period with a decisive run behind defensive stops, second-chance opportunities, and transition scoring to build a double-digit cushion. UTEP maintained its composure in the fourth, closing out the 69–58 win to complete the Battle of I-10 sweep.
ZITA CONTINUES HOT STRETCH
Delma Zita delivered another strong all-around performance, posting season highs of 14 points and six assists in the most recent outing. The graduate guard has recorded her season-high scoring effort in three of the last four games and is averaging 10.8 points and 5.0 assists per game during that stretch, providing a steady offensive presence for the Miners.
Zita's veteran leadership continues to be evident as she enters the final stretch of her UTEP career, balancing scoring, playmaking, and defensive pressure. Her ability to control tempo, facilitate offense, and impact the game across multiple areas has added consistency and versatility to UTEP's backcourt during conference play.
MBENGUE'S FRONTCOURT IMPACT
Ndack Mbengue continues to anchor UTEP's frontcourt, most recently posting 13 points and a season-high-tying 14 rebounds in the road win at NM State. The senior forward recorded her seventh double-double of the season, providing a strong interior presence through physical play, rebounding, and rim protection.
Mbengue has now recorded double-digit rebounds in eleven games this season, underscoring her importance in the paint on both ends of the floor. Her consistent production inside continues to be a key factor in UTEP's frontcourt rotation as the Miners navigate the final stretch of Conference USA play.
ADAMS ON FIRE
Portia Adams continues to be a steady scoring presence for UTEP in Conference USA play, scoring in double figures in 10 of 14 league games this season while averaging 11.6 points per contest in conference action. The senior guard added 14 points in the Miners' road win at NM State, once again providing consistent offensive production from the backcourt.
A reliable two-way contributor, Adams remains central to UTEP's offensive rhythm while setting the tone defensively. She leads the Miners in points (10.4/G) assists (2.6/G) and three-point shooting (38.5 percent), combining efficient perimeter scoring with playmaking ability. Her experience and versatility continue to anchor UTEP's guard play down the stretch of conference play.
HEAVEN ON THE HEIST
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis continues to set the tone on both ends of the floor for the Miners, most recently totaling 13 points and three assists in the road win at NM State. The senior guard remains a steady presence in the backcourt, impacting the game through defensive pressure and balanced offensive production.
Samayoa-Mathis leads UTEP in total steals (36) and averages a team-best 1.4 steals per game. She has recorded two or more steals in nearly half of UTEP's games this season, with her ability to apply ball pressure and create transition opportunities continuing to be a key component of the Miners' identity.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continues to be a key perimeter threat for UTEP, most recently scoring 10 points in the road win at NM State. The third-year guard is tied for the team lead in scoring at 10.3 points per game and remains one of Conference USA's top shooters from beyond the arc.
Tensaie has knocked down 61 three-pointers this season, ranking among the top 100 nationally and third in CUSA, while averaging 2.4 made threes per game. She opened league play with 20 points and six three-pointers against Delaware (Jan. 2) and earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors earlier this season after a 26-point outing that included a program-record eight made triples.
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.
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 10.0 points and a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game, while leading UTEP in field-goal percentage at 52.6 percent.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DUO
Forwards
Ndack Mbengue and
Mary Moses Amaniyo continue to anchor UTEP's frontcourt as one of the nation's most productive interior duos. Both have recorded seven double-doubles this season, consistently providing physicality, rebounding, and second-chance opportunities that define the Miners' interior presence.
Amaniyo ranks fifth in Conference USA in offensive rebounds per game (3.3) and sits 81st nationally and fourth in the league in total rebounds (8.4 per game), while
Ndack Mbengue follows closely at 7.8 rebounds per contest and 3.2 offensive boards per game. The duo's consistent production on the glass continues to give UTEP a nightly edge and reinforces the Miners' standing as one of the nation's top 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 (39.6) and 28th nationally in offensive rebounds per contest (14.8).
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 (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's ability to produce explosive scoring stretches has been a defining trend this season. Most recently, the Miners erupted for 26 points in the third quarter of their road win at NM State, continuing a pattern of timely offensive runs. UTEP also closed its victory at Delaware (Feb. 14) with 26 fourth-quarter points, scored 30 in the opening quarter against Nicholls (Nov. 8)—tying for the 10th-most points in a quarter in program history—and poured in 29 during the third quarter at Kansas City (Nov. 25).
That offensive firepower was on full display earlier this season when UTEP matched a program record with 56 first-half points against USW (Dec. 29), tying the most points scored in a half in school history. The Miners capitalized on transition opportunities and second-chance points to build a commanding 56–22 halftime advantage, showcasing the rhythm and pace that have fueled their highest-scoring stretches.
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 21.1.
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 (1801) and is two triples shy of third all-time.
- Head Coach, Keitha Adams enters the game one win shy of 400 career Division 1 victories.
- 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 will honor its seniors Saturday (Feb. 28) on Senior Day when it hosts Kennesaw State in the final home game of the season.
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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