GAME NOTES (PDF)
EL PASO,
Texas - UTEP women's basketball (13–15, 5–12 CUSA) opens postseason play as the No. 10 seed in the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament, taking on No. 7 seed Jax State (15–15, 9–9 CUSA) in the first round Tuesday at Propst Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT in Huntsville, Ala., as the Miners look to extend their season and advance in the tournament.
GAME COVERAGE
Tuesday vs. Jax State –
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SCOUTING JAX STATE
Jax State enters Tuesday's matchup at 15–15 overall and 9–9 in Conference USA play, earning the No. 7 seed in the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Gamecocks most recently secured a 70–62 overtime victory at home over Kennesaw State on (Mar. 7). Jax State is led by head coach Rick Pietri, who is in his 13th season at the helm.
Jax State averages 62.2 points, 37.8 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game while shooting 38.2 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range, and 70.2 percent at the free-throw line. The Gamecocks lead Conference USA in three-pointers per game at 8.0. Defensively, Jax State allows 58.3 points per contest, the top mark in the conference, while holding opponents to 40.4 percent shooting overall and a league-best 29.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Mya Barnes leads the Gamecocks with 11.0 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds per game while adding 1.2 blocks per contest. Adriana Jones contributes 9.5 points per game, while Brooklyn McDaniel adds 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per outing. Kyera Thornsbury directs the offense and leads Jax State with 2.6 assists per game.
MINER NOTABLES
Two Miners average double figures in scoring, led by All-CUSA Honorable Mention selection
Portia Adams (11.6 ppg) and
Ivane Tensaie (10.9 ppg). CUSA Sixth Player of the Year
Mary Moses Amaniyo and
Ndack Mbengue are both nearing double-doubles, with Amaniyo leading the team with 8.2 rebounds per game while adding 8.9 points per contest, while Mbengue contributes 9.4 points and 8.1 rebounds. Adams also leads the Miners in assists (2.7 apg), while
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis paces the team in steals at 1.5 per game. Amaniyo tops the squad in field-goal percentage (52.3), while Adams leads from three-point range (40.2) and at the free-throw line (76.4).
SERIES HISTORY
Tuesday's matchup marks the seventh meeting all-time between the two programs. The Miners are 3–3 in the series after a 66–64 win over Jax State in the most recent meeting, as the teams split the regular-season series with each defending its home court.
UTEP FALLS AT IN OVERTIME, 91-87
UTEP battled to the final horn in its regular-season finale but fell 91–87 in overtime to LA Tech on Saturday at Thomas Assembly Center. UTEP closed the regular season at 13–16 overall and 5–13 in Conference USA play after pushing the Lady Techsters through a back-and-forth contest that featured 22 lead changes and an extra five minutes. The Miners shot 46.5 percent from the field (33-of-71), including 14-of-34 from three-point range (41.2 percent), tying the program single-game record for made three-pointers. UTEP also finished with 38 rebounds, 18 assists and forced 13 turnovers.
UTEP used timely perimeter shooting to build an early edge and carried a 23–19 lead into the second quarter before a tightly contested period ended with the Miners holding a 38–37 advantage at halftime. The teams continued to trade momentum in the third quarter, with UTEP using an 8–0 run to build a seven-point lead before LA Tech answered late to send the game into the fourth quarter tied at 53. Neither side created separation down the stretch as the teams traded baskets in the final minutes, eventually finishing regulation tied at 79 to force overtime. In the extra session, the Lady Techsters converted key free throws and capitalized on a late turnover to secure the 91–87 result.
QUARTERFINALS ON THE LINE
With a win Tuesday, UTEP would advance to its first Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal since 2024.
TENSAIE FOR THREEE!
Ivane Tensaie continues to be a key perimeter threat in CUSA, most recently tying a season high with 26 points in the Miners' regular-season finale at LA Tech while knocking down seven three-pointers, tied for the second-most made threes by a Miner in a game. Graduate guard finished the regular season second on the team in scoring at 10.9 points per game and remains one of the top perimeter threats in Conference USA.
Tensaie has connected on 75 three-pointers this season, ranking 59th nationally and second in the conference. She also sits third all-time in program history with 195 career three-pointers, continuing to stretch the floor and fuel UTEP's offense with her long-range shooting heading into the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament.
ADAMS ON FIRE
Portia Adams continued to provide a steady scoring presence for UTEP throughout Conference USA play, reaching double figures in 14 of 16 league games. The senior guard most recently recorded 23 points, six assists and six rebounds at LA Tech. Adams was also named All-Honorable Mention by Conference USA following the season.
In conference play, Adams led the Miners with 13.2 points per game, ranking 13th in the league. She also averaged 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, ranking 15th in Conference USA, while leading UTEP in three-point percentage at 40.2 percent. Adams continues to anchor the Miners' backcourt with her scoring, playmaking and perimeter shooting heading into the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament.
HEAVEN ON THE HEIST
Heaven Samayoa-Mathis continues to set the tone on both ends of the floor for UTEP, most recently recording 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals at LA Tech. 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 with 44 and averages a team-best 1.5 steals per game, ranking 20th in Conference USA. Her ability to apply ball pressure, create transition opportunities and deliver in key moments continues to define the Miners' identity heading into the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament.
MBENGUE'S FRONTCOURT IMPACT
Ndack Mbengue continues to anchor UTEP's frontcourt, most recently recording 10 points and eight rebounds at LA Tech. The senior forward previously posted 11 points and 11 rebounds against Kennesaw State (Feb. 28) to secure her ninth double-double of the season and third straight, while also delivering 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in UTEP's 66–64 victory over Jax State (Feb. 26). Her physical presence, rebounding ability and rim protection continue to provide stability inside for the Miners.
Mbengue has now secured 10 or more rebounds in 14 games this season, including eight in CUSA play.
AMANIYO ANCHORS UTEP INSIDE
Mary Moses Amaniyo continues to provide a strong interior presence, most recently recording eight points and eight rebounds at LA Tech, narrowly missing a double-double. The sophomore forward also delivered a standout effort in UTEP's 66–64 victory over Jax State (Feb. 26), finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and a career-high four steals.
Amaniyo, the Conference USA Sixth Player of the Year, finished the regular season averaging 8.9 points and a team-best 8.2 rebounds per game while leading UTEP in field-goal percentage at 52.3 percent, bringing consistent energy on the glass and efficiency around the rim.
DELMA DELIVERS
Delma Zita continues to expand her impact, most recently recording seven points and six rebounds in the Miners' at LA Tech. The graduate guard also knocked down a clutch three-pointer with just under a minute remaining to tie the game in UTEP's 66–64 victory over Jax State (Feb. 26), continuing to provide steady playmaking and timely scoring in the backcourt.
Zita's role has grown steadily down the stretch, logging 30 or more minutes in each of the last eight games while averaging 7.9 points, 4.3 assists and 1.9 steals per contest during that span. Her increased presence on the floor has provided UTEP with added versatility, toughness and playmaking heading into the Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament.
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 (Feb. 26). The freshman guard has seen her role expand in recent weeks, averaging 16.5 minutes per game over the last seven 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).
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 fifth in the league in total rebounds (8.2 per game), while
Ndack Mbengue follows closely at 8.1 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 80 nationally in rebounds per game (39.0) and 30th nationally in offensive rebounds per contest (14.7).
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 26 points in the fourth quarter at LA Tech. The Miners also poured in 28 points in the fourth quarter of their 66–64 victory over Jax State and added 26 points in the third quarter of their road win at NM State (Feb. 21). UTEP also closed its victory at Delaware (Feb. 14) with 26 fourth-quarter points.
Earlier this season, 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.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
UTEP's depth continues to be one of its strongest assets, with the Miners ranking third in Conference USA in bench points per game at 19.4.
The Miners second unit has provided consistent offensive balance and versatility, making the Miners' bench currently one of 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 195 career made threes.
- 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.
JOIN THE 915 Campaign
UTEP Athletics has launched the "915 Campaign." Fans can support the UTEP Women's Basketball Excellence Fund, which directly impacts the success of UTEP student-athletes. To join the "915 Campaign" and become a difference maker for UTEP Athletics, please click here.
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