GAME BOOK (PDF)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The UTEP women's basketball team delivered a resilient effort in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament, battling through 50 minutes before falling to No. 7 seed Jax State, 82-77, in double overtime Tuesday at Propst Arena.
UTEP closes the 2025-26 season at 13-17 overall after pushing the Gamecocks through a tightly contested postseason matchup that required two extra sessions.
The Miners shot 41.9 percent from the floor (26-of-62), including six three-pointers, and went 19-of-26 from the free-throw line. UTEP also forced 20 turnovers and turned them into 20 points while collecting 10 steals.
All-CUSA Honorable Mention selection
Portia Adams led all scorers with a season-high 27 points while adding five rebounds and three assists. With the performance, Adams moved into fourth all-time on UTEP's Conference USA Tournament scoring list.
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis matched her season high with 17 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals.
Ndack Mbengue added nine points and eight rebounds.
"I'm proud of our team because they left everything on the floor tonight," head coach
Keitha Adams said. "It was a hard-fought double-overtime game, and we battled the entire way, but foul trouble and second-chance opportunities ended up hurting us. Credit to Jax State, but I'm really proud of the effort our kids gave."
UTEP set the tone early behind its defensive pressure and transition play.
Ivane Tensaie opened the scoring with a three-pointer before Mbengue finished inside and Samayoa-Mathis added a jumper off a turnover. Jax State answered early with a jumper and driving layup to briefly take a lead before the Miners regained momentum. Adams then sparked an 8-0 Miner run late in the quarter with two transition layups and a pair of free throws, helping UTEP close the period ahead 15-13.
The Miners continued to control the pace through much of the second quarter. Adams repeatedly attacked the paint and midrange, while Samayoa-Mathis converted a second-chance opportunity and Mbengue provided key rebounds to extend possessions. Jax State briefly surged ahead early in the period to take a 17-15 lead before Adams answered with a driving finish to even the score at 17-17. The teams traded baskets midway through the frame before Adams connected on consecutive shots to push the Miners back in front, 23-21. UTEP maintained the edge down the stretch and carried a 27-24 advantage into halftime.
UTEP delivered its strongest stretch of the game in the third quarter. Adams opened the half with a pull-up jumper before Samayoa-Mathis knocked down a pair of three-pointers to ignite the offense. Mbengue added a second-chance basket inside, and the Miners pushed the lead to 34-28 midway through the period. UTEP continued to build momentum as another three-pointer extended the advantage to 41-31 with 3:57 remaining in the quarter, marking the Miners' largest lead of the afternoon at 10 points. Jax State responded late in the period, but UTEP carried a 46-40 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Jax State began to chip away early in the fourth quarter with second-chance opportunities, trimming the deficit to 48-47. Adams answered with a layup to steady the Miners before Samayoa-Mathis sparked a run with a driving finish and free throw that pushed UTEP back in front, 53-51. The Gamecocks responded with a 7-0 run to take a 58-53 lead midway through the period.
The Miners faced adversity late as Adams fouled out with 2:03 remaining in regulation, forcing UTEP to finish the quarter without its leading scorer. UTEP continued to battle down the stretch, and
Tatiana Collazo knocked down a clutch three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to tie the game at 59. Jax State had a chance to win in the closing seconds, but the Miners' defense held strong and the final attempt missed at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime tied at 59.
UTEP continued to battle in the first overtime after Jax State opened the extra period with a basket to take a 61-59 lead. Tensaie answered with a jumper to even the score before Zita finished a fast-break opportunity to give the Miners a brief lead. Mbengue fouled out with 2:27 remaining in the period, leaving UTEP without its interior presence down the stretch. Collazo later knocked down two free throws with 1:05 remaining to put the Miners ahead, 67-66
, but Jax State answered at the line moments later. Both teams had late chances, but neither could convert as the contest moved to a second overtime tied at 67.
In the second overtime, Jax State capitalized on a turnover early to take a 69-67 lead before Zita answered at the free-throw line to tie the game at 69. The teams continued to trade baskets, and Mbengue converted a second-chance layup with just over two minutes remaining to even the score at 73-73. Jax State responded with a three-pointer to regain the lead at 76-73 and extended the margin at the free-throw line in the closing seconds, building its largest lead of the game at seven points with eight seconds remaining. Tensaie knocked down a three-pointer in the final moments as the Miners continued to battle, but Jax State secured the 82-77 result.
Jax State was paced by Mya Barnes and Brooklyn McDaniel, who scored 17 points apiece, while Adriana Jones added 13 points and four assists.
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