Jan. 6, 2017
Game Notes In PDF Format 
THE OPENING ACT
- UTEP (4-10, 1-1 C-USA) will take aim at its second win in three days when it plays host to Southern Miss (9-5, 1-1) at 2 p.m. MST Saturday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids but as part of "Superhero Saturday" first responders, medical professionals, law enforcement get $2 admission (with ID).
- The Miners won for the second time in three games by knocking off LA Tech, 69-62, on Jan. 5. The Lady Eagles are also coming off a victory, having knocked off UTSA, 69-68, on the road on Jan. 5.
- The contest will conclude the Miners' first three-game homestand to start league play since 2009.
- Match-up features the only two head coaches in C-USA to have at least 400 collegiate wins; UTEP's Keitha Adams is 407-233 (280-196 at UTEP) while USM's Joye-Lee McNelis stands 430-345 (201-188 at USM).
- Taking aim at a start of at least 2-1 in league play for the seventh straight year and 11th total in the 16th year of Adam's tenure at UTEP.
- Tim Hagerty (play-by-play) and Traci Miller (color commentary) will have the call on 600 ESPN El Paso, KROD-AM Radio. There will be a live stream on UTEPAthletics (subscription based). Fans can also stay up-to-date by following the Miners (@UTEPWBB) or Lady Eagles (@SouthernMissWBB) on Twitter.
GAME FORMAT
- For the second straight season, NCAA women's basketball games will be played in four 10-minute quarters.
- Teams reach the bonus and shoot two free throws on the fifth team foul in each quarter.
- In the four-quarter format, team fouls reset to zero at the start of each quarter.
- Teams have four timeouts (three 30s, one 60), three which carry over to the second half. They will be able to advance the ball to the frontcourt after a timeout with less than 59.9 seconds in 4Q.
- There are seven media timeouts (four under five minutes in quarter/first called), two intermission media timeouts (after first and third quarters) and the first team-called timeout during the second half.
- Bands or amplified music may play during any dead ball.
THIS AND THAT ON CONFERENCE USA FORMAT
- Teams play all 13 members at least once, as well as a home-and-home series against five conference opponents for an 18-game schedule.
- The top 12 teams qualify for the single-elimination tournament (March 8-11, Birmingham, Ala.-UAB) with the top four teams as seeded by regular season standings receiving a bye. The winner will gain the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
INSIDE THE SERIES
- UTEP leads the series 11-5, including a 6-2 advantage when playing in El Paso.
- Last year the Miners swept the series (W, 72-64, 1/28/16-home; W, 57-54, 2/18/16-road).
- USM had won its prior to visits to the Sun City before UTEP restored order last season.
GETTING TO KNOW Southern Miss
Overall: 9-5 Home: 6-1 Road: 2-2 Neutral: 1-2
C-USA: 1-1 Home: 0-0 Road: 1-1
- Southern Miss returned three starters and nine letter winners from last year's team (14-16, 7-11 C-USA).
- Stormed out to a 7-1 start on the season before dropping three of four to wrap non-league play at 8-4.
- Faltered in a 71-62 setback in its C-USA opener at LA Tech but bounced back last time out with a 69-68 win at UTSA on Jan. 5.
- Third straight league road game and will have had five of its first seven C-USA tilts away from home.
- Southern Miss is among the leaders for C-USA and sports a top-100 NCAA rankings for turnovers forced/game (22.8-first/10th), steals/game (11.9-first/17th), turnover margin (+5.1-first/34th), rebound margin (+5.4-third/69th), scoring defense (59.2-second/76th) and assists/game (15.3-fourth/93rd),
- Five players producing at least 7.0 points/game, with Brittany Dinkins (15.5 ppg-eighth C-USA/157th nation) and Jayla King (11.4 ppg) leading the way in double figures on average.
- King (8.4 rpg-fourth C-USA/86th nation) has helped USM boast a +5.4 rebounding margin (39.8-34.4).
- Dinkins has been credited with 3.5 steals/game to lead the league and rank 10th nationally.
- Forcing foes into making 22.8 turnovers/game to help produce a scoring defense of 59.2
- Notable Southern Miss alumni include Jimmy Buffett (singer, songwriter and actor), Brett Favre (three-time NFL MVP QB & future Hall of Famer) and Robert L. Stewart (former NASA astronaut).
LAST MEETING WITH LA Tech (UTEP 57, at Southern Miss 54, 2/18/16)
- Cameasha Turner poured in 20 points and Starr Breedlove added 12 points to go along with five steals to help the UTEP women's basketball team emerge with a 57-54 victory at Southern Miss on Feb. 18.
- It was the first home setback of the season (11-1) for the Lady Eagles with the Miners improving to 7-2 on the road, including 6-1 in league action
- The Miners bolted out to 18-7 lead after the first quarter. The margin was 10 (29-19) at halftime and swelled to as many as 18 (41-23) with 3:33 to play in the third quarter. It remained double digits (53-43) with 3:32 to play in the game before a 9-0 run by the Lady Eagles.
- UTEP halted the run with free throws by Breedlove and Turner (split pair) before electing to foul USM to prevent a potential three pointer. USM hit both free throws to get within one and fouled Lulu McKinney with four seconds. The sophomore calmly sunk each and Breedlove sealed the win with a steal.
- Both the Miners (21-59, 35.6 percent and 21 turnovers) and Lady Eagles (18-50, 36.0 percent and 25 turnovers) ran into issues offensively. Rebounding (43-37) went in favor of UTEP, which helped it survive an off shooting night (10-22, 45.5 percent) at the charity stripe.
GOING BACK IN TIME
at UTEP 69, LA Tech 62 (1/5/17)
- Sparkle Taylor poured in 25 points to join UTEP's 1,000-point club (1,010) and the Miners stifled Louisiana Tech defensively in a 69-62 victory at the Don Haskins Center on Jan. 5
The Miners held the Lady Techsters to 27.4 percent (17-62) from the floor, their second-lowest percentage of the year (25.7 percent vs. Nichols State), while also winning the rebounding battle decisively (51-40).
- Tamara Seda pulled down a game-high 14 boards to lead the charge on the glass while Najala Howell (14 points, career-high six assists) and Lulu McKinney (14 points, five assists) also made key contributions.
- Taylor added a career-high four steals.
- UTEP set a season high for free throws attempted (29) while its 21 makes at the line tie for second.
- The Miners scored at least 16 points in all four quarters for the first time this season.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2016-17 MINERS
- Eight of the 12 active student-athletes on the Miners' roster are in their first year of playing games at the division I level. There are six true freshmen (Faith Cook, Jakeira Ford, Roeshonda Patterson, Zuzanna Puc, Rachel Tapps and Katarina Zec), one redshirt-freshman (Jessica Barbosa- practiced with team last year) and one junior-college transfer (Axelle Bernard).
- There are four active returnees (senior Sparkle Taylor, juniors Lulu McKinney and Tamara Seda and sophomore Najala Howell). Senior Jenzel Nash, the lone returning starter from last year's team, hasn't played. She is currently suspended indefinitely due to a violation of team rules.
- UTEP has more newcomers (seven) than returnees (five) on the roster for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign when it also had that ratio. That year was also the last time UTEP seven freshmen.
- The Miners lost nine letter winners, including four starters from last year's team (29-5, 16-2 C-USA regular-season champion, advanced to quarterfinals of the WNIT).
- UTEP has a veteran coaching staff that has great chemistry from working together at the school; it is in form of head coach Keitha Adams (16th year), associate head coach Ewa Laskowska (16th year) and assistant coaches Bill Damuth (seventh year) and Kelli Willingham Bagley (second year).
-. The first-year division I student-athlete have made some contributions from a pure statistical standpoint.
CATEGORY 1st-Year D1 Returnees UTEP Total 1st-Year D1%
Blocked Shots 45 30 75 60.0%
3PT Made 34 25 59 57.6%
3PT Attempted 135 106 241 56.0%
Minutes Played 1370 1455 2825 48.5%
Steals 39 47 75 45.3%
Rebounds 269 335 604 (includes team rebounds) 44.5%
FG Attempted 351 513 864 40.6%
Assists 77 116 193 39.9%
FG Made 130 200 330 39.4%
Points 334 548 882 37.9%
FT Attempted 79 157 236 33.5%
FT Made 40 123 163 24.5%
THE RUNDOWN ON UTEP'S 2016-17 SEASON
Overall: 4-10 Home: 4-4 Road 0-1 Neutral 0-5
C-USA: 1-1 Home: 0-1 Road 0-0
- Played its most challenging non-league schedule in program history (#61 strength of schedule at the conclusion of non-conference play; currently 119th), with a single-season school record five games vs. teams from power conferences. It was 0-5 in those contests, all on neutral sites.
- 3-4 vs. non-power league programs during non-conference action. (2-4 vs. non powerhouse D1 foes)
- Traveled to compete in two prestigious tournaments in non-conference play for first time since 2009-10.
- 0-2 start to season for first time since '08-09 & fourth occasion ('01-02 & '02-03) under Keitha Adams.
- Blasted Division II foe WNMU, 93-46, (11/17) to get first win of season before dropping three straight at the 2016 Paradise Jam (L, 45-78, vs. LSU, 11/24; L, 55-71, vs. NC State; 11/25; L, 40-61 vs. K-State, 11/25).
- Got back on track by drilling Houston Baptist, 75-45, (11/30) before sustaining four straight losses.
- Closed out non-conference action with a 74-61 win vs. CSU Bakersfield on Dec. 28.
- Off to 1-1 start in C-USA action, including a 69-62 win last time out vs. LA Tech on Jan. 5.
- Back-to-back games have been decided by single digits, but overall 11 of the 14 contests on the season have been double-digit differentials.
- Only one contest (L, 83-81, OT, vs. UTSA, 1/1/17) has been decided by five points or less.
QUICK HITTERS
- UTEP is among the leaders for C-USA and sports a top-100 NCAA rankings for blocks/game (5.4-third/30th), blocked shots (75-third/44th) and rebounds/game (43.1-second/46th) The Miners are not too far back for rebound margin (+3.6-sixth/108th).
- On average UTEP is -1.2 (14.6-15.8) in 1Q, -3.6 (15.5-19.1) in 2Q, -0.4 (15.7-16.1) in 3Q and +0.1 (16.7-16.6) in 4Q.
- The Miners are averaging 74.7 points the past three games (2-1); they were at 59.8 ppg the first 11 (2-9).
- Senior Sparkle Taylor has hit double figures in scoring in five straight and 12 of 14 total games to help account for a team-leading 16.4 points/game (sixth C-USA/144th nation). She has done well at the free-throw line by nailing 51 (seventh C-USA/102nd nation) of 63 attempts (seventh C-USA/149th nation) for 81.0 percent (fifth C-USA /120th nation). She was at 67.2 percent (154-229) at the line her first three years.
- Taylor is at 6.7 rebounds/game (13th C-USA); she accounted for 3.3 rpg her first three years at UTEP.
- Taylor has nailed 89 (second C-USA/129th nation) of 207 field goals (second C-USA/82nd nation) for a percentage of 43.0 (tied eighth C-USA/234th nation).
- Taylor is the first Miner with 25+ points in consecutive contests since Cameasha Turner (2/7-15-2/12/15). Amy Pack waas the last Miner to do so in three straight games (1/5/01-1/12/01).
- Taylor is averaging 20.8 points on 59.7 percent shooting (46-77) over the past five games.
- Redshirt-junior Tamara Seda tops the team in double-doubles (five), rebounds/game (9.7-second C-USA/48th nation) and shooting percentage (50.5-eighth C-USA/DNQ nationally) while rating second in scoring (8.4 points/game) and blocks/game (1.8-fourth C-USA/89th nation).
- Seda has grabbed 10+ rebounds in three straight, six of the past nine and seven times total on the year. Last season she had contest with at least 10 boards.
- Seda is crashing the offensive glass (3.8-fifth C-USA). She is also piling up the defensive rebounds (5.9-third C-USA). Taylor has helped defensive rebounding also at 4.5/game (12th C-USA.
- Najala Howell has hit double figures in scoring in three straight, four of the past six and five times total this year; her season high as a freshman was six points. She is at 16.3 ppg over past three tilts.
- Howell is averaging 7.7 points/game and 4.0 rebounds/game; she had 1.5 ppg and 1.8 rpg as a freshman.
- Howell (10-27, 37.0 percent) and junior Ax Bernard (9-21, 42.9 percent) have combined to make 39.6 percent (19-48) from distance; the rest of the squad has hit a combined 20.7 percent (40-193).
- Bernard has 27 blocks (second C-USA/63rd nation) for an average of 1.9 blocks/game (second C-USA/60th nation). Last year the Miners' co-leaders (Wiktoria Zapart and Seda) had 21.
- Junior Lulu McKinney is dishing out 4.6 assists/game (fifth C-USA/77th nation) and has a +1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio (seventh C-USA/190th nation).
- McKinney nailed 8-10 at the charity stripe in the win vs. LA Tech (1/5/17); she was 8-9 the first 13 tilts.
- Zuzanna Puc has recorded at least eight rebounds in back-to-back games for initial time of her career.
- Jakeira Ford has grabbed at least six rebounds in consecutive contests for the first time of her career.
- McKinney tops the team in minutes/game (30.7) while Taylor (27.5), Seda (25.6), Bernard (20.6), Katarina Zec (20.5) and Puc (20.1) all earn at least 20.0 minutes/game.
- Zec knocked down a triple to close out the third quarter in the win vs. LA Tech. She had missed the prior six games (final five non conference, first of C-USA) while recovering from an injury sustained in practice on Dec. 5.
- Jessica Barbosa set a career high in rebounds (four) to help UTEP close the first half on a 7-0 run vs. UTSA (1/1). She did not play, though, in the win vs. LA Tech.
- Seda (five), Taylor (two), Najala Howell (one) and Zuzanna Puc (one) have combined for nine double-doubles on the year; the effort more than doubles the total of such games (four) by last year's squad.
- Taylor had two such performances her first three seasons at UTEP while Seda had one last year.
BASIC FACTS ON THE PROGRAM
- UTEP is 543-635 in its 43rd season as a women's basketball program, including 4-10 this year.
- Made four postseason bids (2016,-WNIT quarterfinals; 2014-WNIT runner-up, 2012-NCAA first round and 2008-NCAA second round), sporting combined record of 9-4 (8-2 WNIT, 1-2 NCAA).
- Won four league championships (2016 C-USA regular season, 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament and 2008 C-USA regular season); 1-1 record all time in league tournament title games, winning the title in 2012 and falling in 2008.
- Six 20+ win seasons (all since 2006-07), including four of the past five; never had more than 18 wins in a season before Keitha Adams.
- One of 10 programs nationally (Baylor, Chattanooga, FGCU, James Madison, Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina and UConn) to have won 29+ games at least three times in the past five years.
- Cracked the top-25 poll in two seasons (2015-16, 2007-08), including being ranked in the final six weeks in '07-08, while receiving votes in eight campaigns total ('15-16, '13-14, '12-13, '11-12, '08-09, '07-08 and '06-07). Mentioned in the AP Preseason Poll four times, including garnering three points in '16-17.
- Became first C-USA women's team to go 16-0 while claiming program's initial league title in 2008.
- Finished 15-1 in 2012 and won the program's first conference tournament championship.
- Own C-USA single-season record for winning streak at 23, which was set in 2007-08
- The University of Texas at El Paso (founded in 1914) recently enjoyed a centennial celebration.
- Notable alumni include former ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson, well-respected NFL referee Ed Hochuli, former NASA astronaut Danny Olivas engineer & Dennis Poon, who designed Taipei 101 & some of the tallest buildings in the world..
THE ADAMS FILE
- UTEP's all-time win leader Keitha Adams is 280-196 in her 16th year at the helm of the program. Overall she stands at 407-233 in her 21st year as a collegiate head coach, making her one of two active C-USA coaches (Southern Miss' Joye Lee-McNelis is the other) with 400+ career collegiate wins.
- Adams is the only three-time C-USA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year (2016, 2012 and 2008).
- All six 20+ win seasons and seven of the eight with 18+ victories have been during her tenure.
- She is responsible for all four postseason bids (NCAA in 2012 and 2008; WNIT 2016 and 2014) and all four conference championships (2016 C-USA regular season, 2012 C-USA regular season and conference tournament and 2008 C-USA regular season) in school history.
- Twenty of the 23 major individual career records at the school are held by players from her era.
- Posted at least 16 wins in 10 seasons; there were three such campaigns in program's first 27 years.
- More than 115 games above .500 (239-122) since joining Conference USA for the 2005-06 season.
- Earned votes in top-25 poll in eight seasons ('15-16, '13-14, '12-13, '11-12, '08-09, '07-08 and '06-07).
- Grabbed a top-25 ranking in two seasons (2015-16 and 2007-08; was in poll final six weeks of '07-08).
- Never achieved national ranking, let alone even earn points in a poll, before Adams's era.
- UTEP has compiled 52 separate months with a winning percentage of .500 or better under Adams compared to just 22 with a losing record. Eight of those 20 came in her first two years.
- Coached 24 players who have gone on to play professionally, including '08 WNBA draft picks Izabela Piekarska & Natasha Lacy.
- Impacted the international game at the highest level, with Noni Wharemate representing New Zealand at '08 Olympic Games.
- Every player who has exhausted her eligibility at UTEP during her tenure has graduated.
THIRD-BEST IN TEXAS SINCE 2006-07
- The Miners have the third-most wins among all DI programs in Texas since 2006-07.
- Recent national champions & 2014 NCAA Elite 8 participants Baylor (330-48) and Texas A&M (272-90) lead the way. UTEP (225-107), Texas (218-128, fourth), Lamar (197-131-fifth), TCU (195-139-sixth), Stephen F. Austin (191-135-seventh), Prairie View A&M (180-154-eighth), SMU (179-146-ninth) and Texas Tech (174-160-10th) round out the top 10. There are more than 20 division I WBB programs in the state.
SPECIAL RUN
- Even with 4-10 record this year, the Miners are 125-53 since the start of '11-12 year; 76 double-digit wins.
- One of 10 programs nationally (Baylor, Chattanooga, FGCU, James Madison, Maryland, Notre Dame, South Carolina and UConn) to have won 29+ games at least three times in the past five years.
- Postseason basketball in three of past five years, with two deep runs in the WNIT (2014 runner-up, 2016 quarterfinals) and earning the C-USA automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament (lost, first round).
- Enjoyed 14 separate winning streaks of at least three games during that time frame.
- Contrast that with two three-game losing skids, one four-game and one six-contest setback streak.
WINNING NUMBERS UNDER COACH ADAMS
- 216-43 when leading at halftime, including 4-0 this year.
- 210-62 when keeping foes to less than 40 percent from the floor, including 4-2 this year.
- 199-72 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents, but stands 1-3 in that stat this year.
- 195-53 when connecting on at least 40 percent from the field, but is 1-3 when doing so this season.
- 187-61 when winning the rebounding battle, including 4-2 this season
- 173-24 when scoring 70+ points, including 78-5 with 80+ points (11-0 with 90+ points and 4-0 100+ points).
- 146-35 when allowing less than 60 points, including 1-0 this year.
- 94-14 when opposition has more turnovers than field goals, including 1-0 this year.
- 50-5 when holding opponents to fewer than 50 points, including 1-0 this season.
- 30-3 when leading after the third quarter, including 4-1 this season.
- 23-3 when leading after the first quarter, including 3-1 this year.
HOME SWEET HOME
- 184-55 at home since 2002-03, with winning home records in all 14 of those seasons. Overall 185-67 in El Paso under head coach Keitha Adams.
- 83-19 in El Paso since 2011-12, including 4-4 this year.
- Posted the longest winning streak (19 games) in program history last year before falling in thee WNIT Quarterfinals (L, 67-71), to Pacific 12 powerhouse Oregon.
- 88-23 in non-conference regular-season home games under Adams, including 75-11 since 2006-07.
ALL ABOUT THE FANS
- Tremendous support to help propel UTEP to a pair of deep runs in the WNIT (2014 runner-up honors, 2016 quarterfinals). Averaged 7,773 fans/game during all 10 (8-2 record) WNIT contests in El Paso.
- Aiding those numbers were back-to-back sellouts (first in program history) in the semifinals and finals of the 2014 WNIT.
- Ranked in the top-50 nationally for three of the past five years
- Placed 28th in 2013-14 (3,793 avg.), 42nd in 2012-13 (2,708 avg.) & 46th in 2011-12 (2,639 avg.)
- Keitha Adams is no stranger to big crowds; her squads are 28-10 when playing in front of 4,000+ fans. The Miners are 25-3 at home and 3-7 on the road on the road in the situation.
TRAVEL TIME
- 70-106 on the road under head coach Keitha Adams, hindered by 15-52 mark her first five years.
- 56-53 on the road since '06-07
- 32-22 on the road since '11-12 season.
- Fell at New Mexico, 79-66, (12/13) in only road contest of non-conference play.
- Posted third-most road wins (8-3 record) in program history last year. Effort secured the fourth winning road record and sixth with road winning percentage of .500 or better under Adams. In the program's first 27 years, UTEP's best effort was finishing at .500 twice (2-2, '74-75 and 7-7, '92-93).
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
- Redshirt-senior Jenzel Nash (currently suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules) is among the Miner career leaders in many categories. She is fifth in steals (174), seventh in individual wins (87) and field-goals attempted (1,036), 10th in free throws made (237), 12th for field goals made (362), 12th in points (1,023), 14th in free throws attempted (334), 15th for assists (194), tied 15th for three-pointers attempted (222), 24th in games played (100) and 30th in rebounds (374).
- Senior Sparkle Taylor became the 13th member of UTEP's 1,000-point club after a 25-point effort vs. Louisiana Tech on Jan. 5. She has 1,010 career points (13th). She is also ninth for field goals made (394), 13th in games played (108) and field goals attempted (871), 15th for individual wins (74) and free throws attempted (292), 17th in free throws made (205) and 29th in rebounding (400).
- Junior Lulu McKinney is eighth in three-point attempts (300), 11th in assists (222), tied 12th in three-pointers made (80), 29th in steals (83), tied 40th in games played (75) and 44th in points (527)
- Redshirt-junior Tamara Seda is 11th in blocked shots (46).
2015-16 YEAR IN REVIEW
- Put together one of the finest years in program history in 2015-16. The Miners equaled the school record for wins (29), took home the 2016 C-USA regular-season championship (16-2) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2016 WNIT. All four games in the WNIT were played in El Paso, with the Miners averaging 6,405 fans in the timeframe.
- Set single campaign records set for steals (397) turnovers forced (706) with head coach Keitha Adams skillfully deploying a mixture of defensive schemes.
- Received votes in the USA TODAY Sports women's basketball coaches top-25 poll for six consecutive weeks, including breaking into the top 25 (#25) for the second time in school history the week of March 1-6. UTEP also picked up votes for a school-record 14 straight weeks in the AP Top-25 poll.
- Became the first team in program history to put together three separate winning streaks of at least seven contests and set the school mark for longest home undefeated surge at 19.
- Took home three of the six major individual awards from C-USA, with Keitha Adams (Coach of the Year), Starr Breedlove (Newcomer of the Year) and Sparkle Taylor (Sixth Player of the Year) being honored. UTEP also had a league-high three of the 16 All C-USA honorees and was the only team in the conference to have multiple individuals on the All-Defensive team.
CLIFFNOTES ON THE '16-17 SEASON
UTSA 83, at UTEP 81 (1/1/17)-OT
- Sparkle Taylor (career-high tying 28 points) and sophomore Najala Howell (career-high 20 points) provided a nice one-two scoring punch but UTSA's Tesha Smith converted a putback off Loryn Goodwin's air ball with four seconds left in overtime to send her squad past UTEP, 83-81, in the C-USA opener for both squads at the Don Haskins Center on Jan. 1.
- Zuzanna Puc's shot to force double overtime was too strong.
- There were 10 ties and 14 lead changes and was the first OT contest to start league play since '04-05.
- UTEP, which trailed by 10 (17-7) five minutes in, forced OT with Howell's trey with 0.5 seconds left.
- Taylor made the most field goals (13) by a Miner since 1999.
- Tamara Seda recorded her second straight and fifth double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) on the year
- UTEP made eight more field goals (34-82, 41.5 percent) while also shooting a better percentage than UTSA (26-70, 37.1 percent) but the Roadrunners overcame that through a barrage of three pointers (9-21) and living at the free-throw line (22-31). UTEP was 8-10 on free throws despite holding advantages for both points in the paint (40-28) and second-chance points (18-14).
- UTEP's seven-game win streak in league openers was halted.
- The Miners slipped to 10-6 in situation under Keitha Adams, including 9-3 since joining C-USA ('05-6).
- UTEP is now 14-22 all time in conference openers.
at UTEP 74, CSU-Bakersfield 61 (12/28/16)
- Tamara Seda scored 15 points and ripped down a career-high 17 rebounds, while Sparkle Taylor paced the squad with 16 points as the Miners slowed down the Roadrunners 74-61 in the Don Haskins Center to close out non-conference play in style on Dec. 28. The effort also halted a four-game losing skid.
- CSUB took an early 5-2 lead but the Miners responded with a 15-0 run in the first quarter and never looked back. Taylor connected on a jumper at the 8:14 mark to start the run, while Najala Howell ended it with a jumper at the 3:17 mark. Howell poured in a career-high 15 points and recorded seven rebounds.
- Faith Cook led the Miners with seven dimes and scored a career-best nine points, while Ax Bernard (career-high tying 11 points) also got after it on the offensive end. Seda added a career-best four blocks.
- UTEP led by 13 (24-11) after the first quarter but the visitors cut the deficit down to two (54-52, 7:37 4Q). The Miners stepped up their game and tallied the next nine points to go up 63-52 with 5:58 left in the contest to seal the victory.
- The Miners outrebounded the Roadrunners 47-37, while the Orange and Blue hit 81 percent of their free throws (season-high made 22-of-27). UTEP forced five steals and scored 14 points off turnovers.
Alabama 78, UTEP 60 (12/20/16- Patrick Harrington Classic Game 2)
- Sparkle Taylor posted a game-high 20 points and UTEP shot its highest percentage (51.9) vs. a division I foe on the year but Alabama forced 24 turnovers and unleashed a barrage of three pointers (11-25) to secure a 78-60 victory in the final game of the Patrick Harrington Classic on Dec. 20.
- The Miners were down 25-13 after 10 minutes of action but Alabama's margin over the final three quarters was only +6 (53-47). UTEP closed out the contest on a 16-4 run, with freshmen accounting for 14 points in the sequence.
- The Crimson Tide shot 44.6 percent from the floor and finished with 17 offensive boards. Free throws were also a factor with Alabama making 9-15 compared to UTEP's 1-3 from the line.
- Lulu McKinney (10 points) joined Taylor in double figures while Zuzanna Puc (nine points), Najala Howell (seven points) and Faith Cook (career-high tying five points) also got involved in the offense.
Pitt 71, UTEP 46 (12/19/20- Patrick Harrington Classic Game 1)
- Sparkle Taylor (15 points) and Jakeira Ford (11 points, career-high nine rebounds) both reached double figures in scoring but UTEP couldn't keep pace with ACC juggernaut Pitt in a 71-46 setback in the first game of the inaugural Patrick Harrington Classic at The Arena at NWF State College Dec. 19.
- Pitt connected on 44.3 percent (27-61) of its shots. UTEP finished at 32.7 percent (17-52) from the field, which was affected by going 2-18 (11.1 percent) from beyond-the-arc.
- The Miners kept things competitive on the glass (41-38, Pitt) with the much larger Panthers but it was hindered by an inability to knock down shots with consistency.
- Tamera Seda and Ford paced the squad in rebounds with nine apiece while Zuzanna Puc had six.
NM State 67, at UTEP 59 (12/15/16)
- Zuzanna Puc notched her first career double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds) and UTEP made a late charge but visiting NM State escaped El Paso with a 67-59 win in the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10 on Dec. 15.
- The Miners trailed the Aggies by 15 (59-44) with 7:37 to play before fighting back to whittle the deficit all the way down to five (64-59) with 1:37 left. UTEP had two opportunities to get within three or even two but a couple of shots rimmed out and NM State iced the game with two late free throws.
- Najala Howell (career-high 13 points, Lulu McKinney (12 points), Tamera Seda (10 points, eight rebounds) and Faith Cook (career-high nine assists) helped give the Miners a more balanced offensive attack. UTEP finished at 37.0 percent (20-54) from the floor and dished out 18 assists but was hindered by a readout of 23.5 percent (4-17) on three pointers and 60.0 percent (15-25) at the charity stripe.
- NM State's effort snapped a five-game winning streak for UTEP in the series, though the Miners still stand 15-6 against their I-10 rivals since 2005-06.
at New Mexico 79, UTEP 66 (12/11/16)
- Tamara Seda posted her second straight double-double (career-high 19 points, career-high 16 rebounds) but homestanding New Mexico rode the play of Cheirsa Beynon (24 points, seven assists, six rebounds) and Richelle van der Keijl (18 points, 12 rebounds) to a 79-66 victory at The Pit.
- UNM shot 51.4 percent (18-35), including 43.4 percent (7-16) on triples, in addition to forcing eight UTEP turnovers to help surge out to a 48-29 halftime advantage.
- UTEP outscored UNM, 37-31, during the final 20 minutes but the damage had been done. The Miners made just four turnovers in the second stanza to finish 12 giveaways for the third straight game.
- Sparkle Taylor (14 points, eight rebounds), Zuzanna Puc (nine points, three rebounds), Lulu McKinney (eight points, four assists) and Najala Howell (eight points, three rebounds) supported Seda's play
at UTEP 75, Houston Baptist 45 (11/30/16)
- UTEP took a step in the right direction by trouncing Houston Baptist, 75-45, on Nov. 30. The Miners never trailed in the contest and led by double figures the majority of the second half.
- Tamara Seda came off the bench to post a monstrous double-double (career-high 18 points and career-high 15 rebounds) and Sparkle Taylor poured in 21 points to go along with six boards.
- Lulu McKinney dished out a career-best 10 assists while also scoring seven points. Katarina Zec also hit double figures in scoring (10 points). Rachel Tapps was credited with a career-high four assists while spelling McKinney at the point. Najala Howell finished with eight points (8-8 on free throws).
- UTEP piled up 24 assists on 26 field goals made. It took great care of the ball (12 turnovers), forced 24, won the boards (49-44) and held HBU to a paltry 25.0 percent (16-64). UTEP connected on 38.8 percent (26-67) from the field, which was aided by a sizzling 60 percent (9-15) effort during the second quarter.
- Ax Bernard showed off her full repertoire of abilities, setting career highs for blocks (seven-tied fourth UTEP single-game records) and assists (four) and matching it for rebounds (seven). Bernard's block party helped propel the Miners to 12 total swats (tied third UTEP single-game records).
Kansas State 61, UTEP 40 (11/26/16, Paradise Jam Game 3)
- UTEP put up a good fight but couldn't get enough shots to drop in a 61-40 setback against undefeated Big 12 member Kansas State in both team's final game of the 2016 Paradise Jam on Nov. 26.
- The Miners held K-State, which entered the game with a +25.4 scoring margin (73.4-48.4), to a season-low 61 points. UTEP committed only 12 turnovers, kept things competitive on the boards (40-37, K-State) and enjoyed a 9-2 advantage in second-chance points.
- Senior Sparkle Taylor (10 points, five boards) and freshmen Roeshonda Patterson (eight points) and Katarina Zec (seven points) keyed the efforts for UTEP, which used good ball movement and shot selection but unfortunately couldn't get them to fall. The Miners finished at 23.4 percent (15-64) from the floor.
- The Wildcats shot 46.8 percent (22-47) from the field but UTEP forced 17 turnovers.
NC State 71, UTEP 55 (11/25/16, Paradise Jam Game 2)
- Sparkle Taylor scored 16 points to go along with eight rebounds but NC State's pressure and size proved to be too much in a 71-55 defeat in both team's second game of the Paradise Jam on Nov. 25.
- The Miners shot a better percentage from both the floor (19-46, 41.3 percent; 29-72, 40.3 percent) and free-throw line (15-17, 88.2 percent; 7-13, 53.8 percent) than the Wolfpack but the ACC power compensated in other areas. NC State won the boards (40-31), aided by 20 offensive rebounds that led to a 19-9 advantage in second-chance points while also forcing 24 turnovers (committed 12) that resulted in a 26-12 margin for points off giveaways.
- Tamara Seda (nine points and Katarina Zec (eight points) supported Taylor's efforts on offense.
- UTEP led, 10-8, at the first quarter and was up by five (21-16) halfway through the second quarter before NC State put together a 12-1 run over the next four minutes. The deficit at half was eight (32-24) and it had only grown to 12 (59-47) with 6:25 to play in the fourth quarter but NC State went on a 12-2 surge. UTEP battled down the stretch to score the game's final six points.
LSU 78, UTEP 45 (11/24/16, Paradise Jam Game 1)
- LSU knocked off UTEP, 78-45, in the opening game for both squads of the 2016 Paradise Jam at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on Nov. 24. Freshman Roeshonda Patterson came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points to pace UTEP as the lone individual in double figures.
- LSU connected on 53.4 percent (31-58) from the floor, piling up 21 assists on its 31 field goals made.
- The athleticism and press by LSU gave the Miners fits. UTEP was held to 28.6 percent (16-56) shooting while being harassed into 27 turnovers.
- Rebounding was even (34-34), UTEP forced 17 turnovers that led to 17 points and points in the paint were close (24-22, LSU) but the Lady Tigers enjoyed advantages elsewhere.
at UTEP 93, Western New Mexico 46 (11/17/16)
- UTEP opened the game on a 27-0 run and never looked back on the way to a 93-46 conquest of division II program Western New Mexico on Nov. 17.
- The Miners set program single-game records for both total rebounds (66) and rebounding margin (+45) while the 47-point margin of victory ranks eighth on the charts.
- UTEP hit 61.2 percent (41-67) of its shots-the fourth-best effort at the school- while holding the Lady Mustangs to 22.4 percent (15-67), the 11th lowest by a foe.
- UTEP dished out 26 assists (tied seventh) on 41 made field goals (tied fourth). Additionally, the Orange and Blue outscored WNMU, 58-0, for points in the paint while more than doubling up the visitors with bench scoring (48-21).
- Freshman Zuzanna Puc led the way with a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds, but she had plenty of support. Sparkle Taylor (13 points, 11 rebounds), Najala Howell (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Tamara Seda (10 points, 14 boards) all posted double-doubles while freshman Jakeira Ford added a career-high 13 points in just 14 minutes of action off the bench.
- Lulu McKinney dished out a career-high nine assists-while committing only one turnover- to help direct the squad's offensive efforts. Freshmen Katarina Zec (11 points), Roeshonda Patterson (six points), Faith Cook (five points) also set personal highs in scoring while redshirt-freshman Jessica Barbosa scored two points and had two boards in her collegiate debut.
Texas Southern 89, at UTEP 68 (11/13/16)
- Sparkle Taylor posted her third career double-double (14 points, 13 rebounds) but visiting Texas Southern rode the hot shooting of Kaitlyn Palmer (24 points) to knock off UTEP, 89-68, inside the Don Haskins Center Sunday afternoon.
- Palmer connected on 8-16 from three-point range to lead a quartet of players in double figures for the Lady Tigers. TSU, which has averaged 20 victories over the past four years, connected on 45.8 (33-72) of its shots while the youth-laden UTEP squad finished at 36.1 percent (27-72) from the floor.
- UTEP won the boards (49-48) and forced 15 turnovers but was outscored, 44-30, in points in the paint while TSU also had a 25-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
- Junior transfer Ax Bernard stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in a team-high 34 minutes of action. Freshman Zuzanna Puc nearly recorded a double-double (nine points, 10 rebounds). Freshman Jakeira Ford (nine points, three rebounds), Junior Lulu McKinney (seven points, four assists), junior transfer Chanel Khammarath (five points, two steals), freshman Katarina Zec (five points, two rebounds) and sophomore Najala Howell (five points) buoyed the efforts of Taylor. Taylor's 13 rebounds were a career high, as were her 31 minutes played.
Northern Arizona 65, at UTEP 51 (11/11/16)
- Senior Sparkle Taylor erupted for a career-high 28 points but Northern Arizona downed UTEP, 65-51, in the season opener for both squads on Nov. 11.
- NAU wrapped a 20-2 run around halftime to put the Miners in a 15-point (36-21) hole with 7:28 to play in the third quarter. But Taylor, who was limited to four first-half points as result of picking up two early fouls, caught fire. She put on an offensive clinic, scoring 18 of UTEP's next 20 points in the game to fuel a 20-4 run and propel the home side back ahead (41-40) with 2:21 to play in the third period. After going to the bench with her third foul, NAU scored the next nine points of the contest to pull back ahead (49-41) with 7:39 left in regulation. UTEP didn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.
- Junior-college transfer Ax Bernard (five point, five rebounds) and redshirt-junior Tamara Seda (five points, seven rebounds) got involved as well offensively but no one else on the squad contributed more than four points. Freshman Jakeira Ford shared the team lead for rebounds at seven.
- All eight Miner newcomers saw action in the game, and the Miners even had five freshman on the court at junctures during the game.
ALL ABOUT OPENERS
- Northern Arizona knocked off UTEP, 65-51, on Nov. 11 to hand the Miners their first season-opening loss since 2009-10 (L, 66-54 at Florida Gulf Coast, 11/13/09).
- Senior Sparkle Taylor erupted for a career-high 28 points, which were also the most by a Miner in a season opener since at least 1983-84 (prior records incomplete).
- UTEP slipped to 23-20 all time in season openers, including 20-7 when doing so in El Paso.
- The Miners fell to 10-6 in campaign lidlifters under head coach Keitha Adams, including 8-3 when starting the year at home. Overall they are now 27-14 in home opener, including 12-4 under Adams.
at UTEP 72, St. Mary's 54 (Exhibition Game, 11/4/16)
- Sparkle Taylor poured in 18 points while sophomore Najala Howell added 11 off the bench to help the UTEP knock off St. Mary's (Texas), 72-54, in an exhibition contest on Nov. 4.
- Crushed the Rattlers on the glass (55-35) with redshirt-junior Tamara Seda leading the way with 10 boards. UTEP's depth also factored into the contest, with the Miners holding a 36-8 advantage from reserve scoring.
- Things went back-and-forth early with four ties and five lead changes over a competitive first quarter of action. UTEP seized control during the second quarter, with Taylor coming alive for eight points to lead a 16-7 charge that afforded the Miners a 12-point cushion (37-25) at the break. St. Mary's scored the first six points of the third quarter to cut the lead in half (39-33) but the Orange and Blue peeled off eight straight to put away the Rattlers for good.
- All 14 Miners earned at least seven minutes of action, but Taylor (24 minutes) and junior-college transfer Ax Bernard (20 minutes) were the only players to have 20+ minutes.
