GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - The UTEP women's basketball team (10-11, 2-8 CUSA) will close its homestand Saturday against Sam Houston (13-7, 6-3 CUSA) at the Don Haskins Center. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. MT as the Miners look to make a run in Conference USA play. Saturday's matchup will also feature the debut of UTEP's "Los Mineros" uniforms, designed by Aaron Alderette, one of two winners of the first-ever UTEP Fan Designed Uniform Contest.
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday vs. Sam Houston –
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SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON
Sam Houston enters Saturday's matchup at 13–7 overall and 6–3 in Conference USA play. The Bearkats are coming off a narrow 65–57 road loss at NM State (Feb. 5) and are led by head coach Ravon Justice, who is in her eighth season leading the Bearkats.
Sam Houston is averaging 65.2 points and 38.2 rebounds per game while posting 13.8 assists per contest. The Bearkats are one of the nation's top offensive rebounding teams, grabbing 16.4 offensive boards per game (top 10 nationally). Sam Houston is shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 26.2 percent from three-point range, and 63.0 percent at the free-throw line, while ranking top 50 nationally, third in CUSA in free-throw attempts per game (20.65). Defensively, the Bearkats allow just 56.5 points per game (first in CUSA, top 25 nationally) while holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. Sam Houston also applies consistent pressure, forcing 26.6 turnovers per game (top five nationally) and averaging 14.1 steals per contest (top 10 nationally).
The Bearkats are led by Fanta Kone, who averages 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and a team-high 4.3 assists per game, ranking 52nd nationally and first in Conference USA in assists, while also contributing 3.5 steals per contest (eighth nationally). Deborah Ogayemi provides a strong interior presence with 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, including 4.2 offensive rebounds per contest (top 10 nationally), and adds 2.6 steals per game (top 50 nationally). Aysia Ward rounds out the group with 7.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while ranking 29th nationally with 2.9 steals per contest.
MINER NOTABLES
Three Miners are averaging double figures in scoring:
Portia Adams (10.5),
Ivane Tensaie (10.5), 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 7.9 rebounds and 9.5 points per contest. Adams leads the team in assists with 2.8 per game.
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis tops the Miners in steals at 1.6 per game. Amaniyo paces the squad in field-goal percentage at 51.9%, Adams leads from three-point range at 38.6% and also tops the team at the free-throw line at 77.3%.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's matchup marks the eighth all-time meeting between UTEP and Sam Houston, with UTEP holding a 7–0 advantage in the series. The Miners erased a 13-point deficit in the first meeting last season before sealing the season sweep with a last-second shot in the second matchup.
MINERS DROP HOME CONTEST TO LA TECH
UTEP suffered an 87–48 loss to LA Tech on Thursday night at the Don Haskins Center, dropping to 10–11 overall and 2–8 in Conference USA play. The Miners struggled to generate consistent offense as LA Tech capitalized on turnovers and perimeter shooting to create separation. UTEP finished the night shooting 32.7 percent from the field, while the visitors turned takeaways into points and limited clean looks throughout the contest.
The game opened with strong defensive energy from UTEP, which carried a narrow 13–12 lead into the second quarter. Momentum shifted late in the first half as LA Tech went on a decisive run fueled by three-point shooting, pushing the advantage to 36–22 at the break. UTEP continued to compete after halftime, earning extra possessions and attacking in transition, but turnovers and timely perimeter shots allowed LA Tech to extend the margin. The Miners remained active through the final quarter, generating second-chance opportunities and pushing the pace, but the visitors maintained control down the stretch to close out the contest.
BATTLE ON THE BOARDS
UTEP and Sam Houston enter the matchup as two of the nation's most aggressive teams on the offensive glass. UTEP ranks 19th nationally, second in CUSA with 15.7 offensive rebounds per game, while Sam Houston sits seventh nationally, first in the league at 16.8 offensive boards per contest. The meeting highlights a physical battle inside, as two top 25 national rebounding units, separated by just over one rebound per game, look to create extra possessions and control the tempo.
AMANIYO ANCHORS UTEP INSIDE
Mary Moses Amaniyo delivered a steady interior performance against Louisiana Tech, finishing with 11 points, nine rebounds, and two steals while narrowly missing a double-double. The sophomore forward provided consistent energy and physicality in the paint, impacting the game on both ends with her rebounding, defensive activity, and efficient scoring around the rim.
Amaniyo continues to average double figures at 10.0 points per game while pulling down a team-high 8.7 rebounds per contest, and she leads UTEP in field-goal percentage at 51.9 percent. One of the Miners' most reliable interior contributors, she combines efficiency, toughness, and effort to anchor the frontcourt and provide a steady presence inside.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continued her strong perimeter play against LA Tech, finishing with nine points while knocking down three three-pointers. The third-year guard is tied for UTEP's leading scorer at 10.5 points per game and remains one of Conference USA's top threats from beyond the arc.
Tensaie has connected on 54 three-pointers this season, ranking inside the top 75 nationally and third in CUSA, while averaging 2.5 made threes per game, good for top 50 nationally and third in the league. She opened CUSA play with a standout performance against Delaware (Jan. 2), scoring 20 points with six three-pointers, and previously 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 deep against Denver (Nov. 29), a UTEP single-game record, along with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from three in a road win at Kansas City (Nov. 25).
FRESHMAN WOLDAI IMPRESSES
Aolani Woldai turned in a productive outing off the bench against LA Tech, setting career highs with seven points, three assists, and two steals in 23 minutes of action. The freshman guard was aggressive on both ends of the floor, attacking off the dribble, facilitating offense, and applying pressure defensively.
Woldai also showcased poise at the free-throw line, going a perfect 5-for-5, further highlighting her efficiency and composure in extended minutes. Her performance reflected continued growth and confidence as she provided valuable energy and versatility in the backcourt.
ADAMS ON FIRE
Portia Adams has been a consistent scoring presence for UTEP in CUSA play, scoring in double figures in seven of the first 10 league games. The senior guard averaged 13.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during the month of January, providing steady production and leadership in the backcourt.
A reliable offensive option, Adams continues to apply pressure as both a scorer and facilitator while setting the tone defensively. Her perimeter efficiency remains a key asset, as she leads the Miners in assists (2.8) and three-point shooting (38.6 %), and her blend of scoring, playmaking, and experience continues to anchor UTEP's backcourt throughout conference play.
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 NM State (Jan 31) 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.
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 (Jan. 31). 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 80.4 percent (37-for-46) from the stripe through ten 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.
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 20th nationally and third in CUSA in offensive rebounds per game (3.8) and sits 61st nationally and fourth in the league in rebounds per contest (8.7), while Mbengue is close behind at 7.9 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.
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 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. The Miners continue to establish rebounding as a defining strength, ranking among the nation's leaders in the top 50 nationally in rebounds per game (40.9) and top 25 nationally in offensive rebounds per contest (15.7).
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 22.0.
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
- Portia Adams enters Saturday's matchup just five points shy of 1,000 career points, a significant personal milestone in her collegiate career.
- Ivane Tensaie has moved into fourth all-time on UTEP's career three-pointers list, passing former Miner and current assistant coach Jareica Hughes.
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 open a three-game road trip at Liberty (Feb. 12) and Delaware (Feb. 14), before closing the stretch 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.
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