The UTEP Women’s basketball team (4-15,1-5) have been in a rough patch as of late and are currently on a five-game losing streak. The Lady Miners have lost their last conference matchups by an average of 27 points, and look to end the losing streak Saturday against Charlotte. In order to break through this mid-season slump, the Lady Miners must improve in these areas moving forward.
Defensive pressure
The Lady Miners are averaging 67 points per game but are only scoring 58 compared to their opponents who are shooting 41 percent from the field. In their last matchup against Old Dominion allowed the Monarchs to shoot 45 percent from the field. Against Charlotte UTEP will have to be aware of the 49ers efficient three-point shooting as they are currently fourth in the conference in three-point field goal percentage.
Prevent teams from visiting the free throw line
UTEP is the third worst team in the conference when it comes to shooting from the free throw line. Middle Tennessee was 21-37 from the charity stripe against the Miners while in the prior matchup against UAB, the Blazers were 11-17. Charlotte is ranked ninth but the 49ers shot 71 percent from the charity stripe in their last matchup against Louisiana Tech.
Senor Jordan Alexander had a solid outing last night against Old Dominion with 15 points and four rebounds in the Lady Miners 78-59 loss against the Monarchs. The Lady Miners leading three-point shooter senior Jordan Alexander is shooting 35 percent from three on the season but is a combined 1-13 from three in her last four games during this losing streak. Old Dominion sophomore guard Victoria Morris is fourth in the conference averaging two threes per game knocking down 42 three’s thus far, while Charlotte sophomore guard Mariah Linney is seventh in the conference in three’s made with 35 shooting 41 percent from three.
The Lady Miners will travel to Charlotte to take on the 49ers on Jan. 26, tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
