GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (10-10, 2-7 CUSA) returns to the Don Haskins Center Thursday night to host CUSA leader LA Tech (15-5, 8-1 CUSA). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT as the Miners look to build momentum following a conference victory. UTEP will also celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, honoring the impact of women and girls in athletics.
GAME COVERAGE
Thursday vs. LA Tech –
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SCOUTING LA TECH
LA Tech enters Thursday's matchup at 15–5 overall and 8–1 in Conference USA and currently sits atop the conference standings. The Lady Techsters are riding an eight-game winning streak, most recently earning a 71–51 home victory over Jax State, and are led by head coach Brooke Stoehr, who is in her 10th season at the helm.
LA Tech is averaging 74.6 points, 38.3 rebounds, and 17.4 assists per game, ranking first in Conference USA in scoring and assists, while also placing placing 55th nationally in scoring and 29th nationally in assists. The Lady Techsters are shooting 44.6 percent from the field (first in CUSA, 58th nationally), 33.1 percent from three-point range (top 100 nationally), and 72.3 percent from the free-throw line (third in CUSA). Defensively, LA Tech allows just 60.0 points per game (top 100 nationally), holding opponents to 39.0 percent shooting from the field and 29.6 percent from beyond the arc. The Lady Techsters also force 20.8 turnovers per game, ranking third in the conference and 36th nationally.
LA Tech is led by Paris Bradley, the reigning CUSA Freshman of the Year, who is averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Jordan Marshall provides a strong inside presence with 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest, while Joy Madison Key directs the Lady Techsters' offense, dishing a team-high 3.6 assists per game.
MINER NOTABLES
Three Miners are averaging double figures in scoring:
Portia Adams (10.9),
Ivane Tensaie (10.6), and
Mary Moses Amaniyo (10.0). Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both posting near double-doubles. Amaniyo provides a spark off the bench, leading the team with 8.7 rebounds per game, while Mbengue contributes 8.1 rebounds and 9.7 points per contest. Adams leads the team in assists with 2.9 per game, followed by
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis with 2.3, who also tops the Miners in steals at 1.7 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 77.8%.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday's matchup marks the 32nd all-time meeting between UTEP and LA Tech, with the Lady Techsters holding a 19–12 advantage in the series. LA Tech claimed both meetings last season.
MINERS CLAIM BATTLE OF I-10, 79-69
UTEP earned a 79–69 victory over NM State at the Don Haskins Center (Jan. 31), snapping a seven-game skid and improving to 10–10 overall and 2–7 in Conference USA play. The Miners relied on defensive pressure and transition offense to create separation, forcing 23 turnovers while recording 12 steals. UTEP capitalized on those opportunities with a 23–10 edge in fast-break points and shot 80.6 percent at the free-throw line, while also holding the Aggies to 25.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc and winning the rebounding battle, 41–33.
The game opened with a fast-paced, physical tempo as both teams traded early baskets before UTEP established control through defensive energy and second-chance opportunities. The Miners built momentum late in the first quarter and extended the lead with an early run in the second, carrying a 37–27 advantage into halftime. NM State responded after the break, trimming the margin and pulling within four late in the third quarter, but UTEP answered with timely stops and efficient scoring. The Miners maintained composure down the stretch, executing at the free-throw line and converting key possessions to secure the 79–69 Battle of I-10 victory.
STRENGTH ON STRENGTH
UTEP enters the matchup with one of the top offenses in Conference USA, ranking third in the league in scoring offense at 66.8 points per game. The Miners will be tested by a disciplined LA Tech defense that ranks fourth in CUSA in scoring defense, allowing just 60.0 points per contest. The meeting sets up a compelling contrast as UTEP's efficient scoring attack faces one of the conference's stingiest defensive units.
ADAMS ON FIRE
Portia Adams continues to be a driving force for UTEP, coming off a standout all-around performance in the win over New Mexico State, where she totaled 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. The senior guard has emerged as the Miners' leading scorer on the season, averaging 10.9 points per game, while also pacing the team in assists at 2.9 per contest.
Adams has scored in double figures in five consecutive games, averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds during that stretch, highlighting her consistency and expanded impact on both ends of the floor. A steady presence in the backcourt, she continues to apply pressure offensively while facilitating the offense and setting the tone defensively. Her efficiency from the perimeter remains a key asset, as she leads the Miners in three-point shooting (39.7%), and her blend of scoring, playmaking, and leadership continues to anchor UTEP's success.
AMANIYO ANCHORS UTEP INSIDE
Mary Moses Amaniyo delivered another strong interior performance in the win over NM State, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds. The sophomore forward continued to provide UTEP with physicality and consistent energy in the paint, impacting the game on both ends of the floor with her toughness, rebounding, and efficient scoring.
Amaniyo is now averaging double figures at 10.0 points per game while pulling down 8.7 rebounds per contest, and she leads the Miners in field-goal percentage at 52.3%. One of UTEP's most reliable interior contributors, she combines efficiency, strength, and effort to anchor the Miners inside and provide a steady presence in the frontcourt.
MBENGUE RECORDS SIXTH DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Ndack Mbengue continues to anchor UTEP's frontcourt, most recently recording 12 points and 11 rebounds in the win over New Mexico State to secure her sixth double-double of the season. The senior forward has been a consistent presence on the glass and in the post, providing reliable scoring, rebounding, and defensive intensity for the Miners.
Earlier this season, Mbengue opened Conference USA play with a career performance against Delaware (Jan. 2), posting 26 points and 14 rebounds while adding two blocks. She followed that outing with a team-high 11 rebounds against Liberty (Jan. 4) and has now recorded double-digit rebounds in nine games, underscoring her importance to UTEP's frontcourt production and physical presence in the paint.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continued her strong perimeter play in the win over New Mexico State, finishing with 12 points and three three-pointers to help fuel the Miners' offense. The third-year guard ranks as UTEP's second-leading scorer at 10.6 points per game and remains one of the conference's most dangerous shooters from beyond the arc.
Tensaie has knocked down 51 three-pointers this season, ranking inside the top 75 nationally and third in CUSA, while averaging 2.5 made threes per game, a mark that places her top 50 nationally and third in CUSA. She opened Conference USA play with a standout performance against Delaware (Jan. 2), scoring 20 points with six three-pointers, and earlier earned Conference USA Player of the Week honors after a career-best stretch that included a season-high 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting from three against Denver (Nov. 29) a UTEP single-game record along with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from deep in a road win at Kansas City (Nov. 25).
ADAMS THE LINE LEADER
Portia Adams has been UTEP's most reliable presence at the free-throw line, most recently going a perfect 10-for-10 in the win over NM State. It marked the first time a Miner has gone perfect at the line with a minimum of nine attempts since Elina Arike went 10-for-10 against No. 25 MTSU on March 10, 2023. The senior guard has been especially efficient in Conference USA play, shooting 81.4 percent (35-for-43) from the stripe through nine league games.
Adams' consistency at the line has been a key factor in UTEP's ability to close out games, as her poise and accuracy in pressure moments continue to provide valuable points and steady leadership late in contests.
HEAVEN ON THE HEIST
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis continues to set the tone defensively for the Miners, most recently recording three steals in the win over NM State. The senior guard leads UTEP in steals at 1.7 per game.
Samayoa-Mathis has tallied two or more steals in more than half of UTEP's games this season. Her ability to apply pressure defensively and turn stops into transition opportunities remains a key component of the Miners' identity.
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 (49th nationally, third in CUSA), 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 21st nationally and third in CUSA in offensive rebounds per game (3.9) and sits 61st nationally and fourth in the league in rebounds per contest (8.7), while Mbengue is close behind at 8.1 rebounds per game, ranking inside the top 100 nationally. 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.
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.
HISTORIC REBOUNDING EFFORT
UTEP delivered a historic rebounding performance in the win over University of the Southwest, pulling down a program-record 74 total rebounds and a program-record 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). The Miners rank among the nation's elite on the boards, sitting at 38th nationally in rebounds per game (41.3) and top 25 nationally in offensive rebounds per game (16.0), continuing to establish rebounding as a defining strength of this team.
FAST STARTS, HISTORIC RESULTS
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.
Mary Moses Amaniyo fueled the surge with 14 points in the second quarter. The Miners' early offensive rhythm, pace, and ball movement set the tone, as UTEP capitalized on second-chance opportunities and transition looks to build a commanding 56-22 halftime advantage.
The performance continued a trend of strong opening surges this season. UTEP also posted 30 points in the first quarter against Nicholls (Nov. 8), tying for the 10th-most points in a quarter in program history, and erupted for 29 points in the third quarter at Kansas City (Nov. 25). The Miners' ability to generate early momentum and sustain offensive pressure has been a consistent driver of their 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)
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.
MILESTONE WATCH
- Portia Adams enters the week nine points away from 1,000 career points, a milestone that would place her among an elite group in program history.
- Ivane Tensaie moves into fourth all-time at UTEP with 171 career threes, passing former Miner and current assistant coach Jareica Hughes.
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 closes its homestand Saturday against Sam Houston (Feb. 7) before opening a two-game road trip at Liberty (Feb. 12) and Delaware (Feb. 14).
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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