GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (13–13, 5–10 CUSA) wraps up its home schedule Saturday against Kennesaw State at the Don Haskins Center, with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. MT. Winners of three straight, the Miners will look to stay hot down the final stretch of Conference USA play. The afternoon will also mark Senior Day, as UTEP honors its graduating seniors prior to tipoff in the final home game of the season.
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday vs. Kennesaw State –
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SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE
Kennesaw State enters Saturday's matchup at 12–15 overall and 5–11 in Conference USA play. The Owls are currently on a four-game losing streak and most recently fell 52–40 at NM State (Feb. 26). Kennesaw State is led by head coach Octavia Blue, who is in her fifth season at the helm.
Kennesaw State currently sits 11th in the Conference USA standings while averaging 62.7 points, 34.4 rebounds, and 12.6 assists per game. The Owls shoot 43.6 percent from the field (top 80 nationally; second in CUSA), along with 30.8 percent from three-point range and 64.5 percent at the free-throw line. Defensively, Kennesaw State allows 61.3 points per game, holding opponents to 38.6 percent shooting from the field and 30.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Owls are among the league's most disruptive defensive teams, averaging 4.2 blocks per game (top 50 nationally; first in CUSA), ranking fifth in Conference USA in steals (9.5 spg), and forcing 19.1 turnovers per game (60th nationally; fourth in CUSA).
Keyarah Berry leads Kennesaw State with a team-high 14.1 points per game, shooting 47.2 percent from the field (third in Conference USA), while also contributing 4.8 rebounds and a team-best 2.1 steals per contest. Trynce Taylor anchors the Owls on the glass, averaging a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game to go along with 9.3 points per outing. Kaylin Fields directs the offense with a team-high 4.4 assists per game and adds 2.0 steals per contest.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners are averaging double figures in scoring, led by
Portia Adams (10.9 ppg) and
Ivane Tensaie (10.3 ppg).
Mary Moses Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both nearing double-doubles, as Amaniyo leads the team with 8.3 rebounds per game to go along with 8.9 points per contest, while Mbengue adds 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Adams also paces the Miners in assists at 2.5 per game, followed by
Delma Zita at 2.4, and
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis leads the team in steals at 1.5 per outing. Amaniyo tops the squad in field-goal percentage at 52.0 percent, while Adams leads from three-point range (39.4 percent) and at the free-throw line (77.3 percent).
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's matchup marks the fifth meeting all-time between the two programs. The Miners are 0–4 in the series after an 83–52 setback at Kennesaw State earlier this season.
MINERS STAY HOT, DOWN JAX STATE 66-64
The UTEP women's basketball team earned a 66–64 home victory over Jax State on Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center, improving to 13–13 overall and 5–10 in Conference USA play while securing its third straight win. The Miners connected on eight three-pointers, while forcing 14 turnovers and recording nine steals. UTEP capitalized on transition and second-chance opportunities, posting a 16–10 edge in fast-break points and an 11–6 advantage in second-chance scoring to keep the contest within reach throughout.
UTEP weathered early momentum swings before making its push late, erasing a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit behind defensive pressure and timely perimeter shooting. The Miners strung together key stops down the stretch, forcing consecutive turnovers in the final minute and converting clutch baskets to seize their first lead of the second half in the closing seconds. UTEP closed out the 66–64 result with one final defensive stand, extending its winning streak to three and sending the Don Haskins Center crowd home victorious.
POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS
With two games remaining in the regular season, Saturday's matchup carries significant implications in the Conference USA standings. The top 10 of 12 teams qualify for the conference tournament, and UTEP has climbed into ninth place following its recent surge, while Kennesaw State currently sits 11th and outside the postseason picture.
A UTEP victory would help the Miners solidify their position inside the tournament field and could potentially move them into eighth place entering the final week of the regular season. Kennesaw State, meanwhile, will look to keep its postseason hopes alive, as a win could lift the Owls back into the Conference USA Tournament race down the stretch.
ADAMS ON FIRE
Portia Adams continues to provide a consistent scoring presence for UTEP in Conference USA play, reaching double figures in 11 of 15 league games while averaging 12.3 points per contest in conference action. The senior guard delivered a season-high 23 points including 10 in the fourth quarter in the Miners' 66–64 victory over Jax State, coming through in key moments to help secure UTEP's third consecutive win.
A dependable two-way contributor, Adams remains central to UTEP's offensive rhythm while also setting the tone defensively. She leads the Miners in scoring (10.9 ppg), assists (2.5 apg), and three-point percentage (39.4), blending efficient perimeter shooting with steady playmaking. Her experience and versatility continue to anchor UTEP's backcourt as the Miners push through the final stretch of conference play.
MBENGUE'S FRONTCOURT IMPACT
Ndack Mbengue continues to anchor UTEP's frontcourt, most recently recording 10 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in the Miners' 66–64 victory over Jax State. The senior forward notched her eighth double-double of the season, providing a steady interior presence through physical play, rebounding, and rim protection.
Mbengue has now secured double-digit rebounds in 12 games this season, including six in Conference USA play, underscoring her importance in the paint on both ends of the floor. Her consistent production inside remains a key factor in UTEP's frontcourt rotation as the Miners push through the final stretch of conference play.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continues to be a key perimeter threat for UTEP, most recently totaling 10 points, three assists, and two steals in the Miners' 66–64 victory over Jax State while connecting on three three-pointers. The junior guard second in scoring for the Miners at 10.3 points per game and remains one of Conference USA's most consistent threats from beyond the arc.
Tensaie has knocked down 64 three-pointers this season, ranking among the top 100 nationally and third in Conference USA, and recently moved into third place all-time in program history in three-pointers made (184). Her ability to stretch the floor and deliver in key moments continues to be a major factor in UTEP's offensive attack as the Miners close the regular season.
HEAVEN ON THE HEIST
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis continues to set the tone on both ends of the floor for the Miners, most recently recording 10 points, five rebounds, and three steals in UTEP's 66–64 victory over Jax State, including the go-ahead jumper in the final seconds. The senior guard remains a steady presence in the backcourt, impacting the game through defensive pressure and timely offensive production.
Samayoa-Mathis leads UTEP in total steals (39) and averages a team-best 1.5 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, create transition opportunities, and deliver in clutch moments continuing to define the Miners' identity down the stretch.
WOLDAI'S GROWTH PAYING DIVIDENDS
Aolani Woldai continues to make a strong impact off the bench, most recently contributing eight points and three rebounds in UTEP's 66–64 victory over Jax State. The freshman guard has seen her role expand in recent weeks, averaging 17.5 minutes per game over the last six contests, while providing consistent energy and production on both ends of the floor. She recently scored a career-high 17 points in just 18 minutes to lead UTEP to a 79–72 road win at Delaware (Feb. 14).
DELMA DELIVERS
Delma Zita continues to expand her impact for UTEP, most notably knocking down a clutch three-pointer with just under a minute remaining to tie the game in the Miners' 66–64 victory over Jax State. Not typically known for her perimeter shooting, the timely make underscored Zita's confidence and poise in a critical late-game moment.
Zita's role has grown steadily down the stretch, as she has logged 30 or more minutes in each of the last five games while averaging 9.6 points per contest during that span. Her increased presence on the floor has provided UTEP with added versatility, toughness, and playmaking.
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 8.9 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game, while leading UTEP in field-goal percentage at 52.0 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 85th nationally and sixth in the league in total rebounds (8.3 per game), while
Ndack Mbengue follows closely at 7.9 rebounds per contest and 3.3 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 (39.5) and 27th nationally in offensive rebounds per contest (14.9).
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 continued to define its season, most recently erupting for 28 points in the fourth quarter of its 66–64 victory over Jax State. The late surge added to a growing pattern of timely offensive runs, as the Miners also poured in 26 points in the third quarter of their road win at NM State (Feb. 21). UTEP previously 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 tallied 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 second in Conference USA in bench points per game at 20.6.
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
- The win over Jax State (Feb. 26) marked Head Coach Keitha Adams' 400th career Division I victory.
- Ivane Tensaie has moved into third all-time in program history with 184 career three-pointers made.
- 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
JOIN THE 915 Campaign
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