Editor's note: This is not the most recent UTEP women's basketball game.
On Jan. 30, UTEP women’s basketball ultimately fell to Western Kentucky University (WKU) in a night of many highlights from both teams despite the loss. Although the Miners fought to the very end, catching up to the Lady Toppers by the fourth, WKU would run away with the win by the second half, 65-59.
Head Coach Keitha Adams spoke to WKU’s ability as a team and her own team’s overall performance.
“Western Kentucky is a good team, they’ve won five games in a row,” Adams said. “We needed to be able to make some plays and get stops down the stretch, but we didn’t. That rebounding is hurting us, it has for several games. We got ourselves back in at 59-59, but gave up an offensive rebound and let them go up two.”
Many of the highlights came from the Miners, including senior guard Ivane Tensaie who helped lead the Miners with 18 points, with half of those points coming from beyond the arc. Sophomore forwards Luisa Vydrora and Dunja Zecevic scored double digits, with 10 a piece.
Vydrova also made a game high of nine boards and was just one rebound away from making a 10-point and 10 rebound performance. Junior forward Ndack Mbengue was also close to achieving a double double, racking up nine points and eight rebounds.
Junior guard Portia Adams made three assists and senior guard Delma Zita hit a game high of five assists. Zita also swooped in for a team best of two steals.
From the start, both teams were at each other’s throats, with the Lady Toppers running the lead at 21-15 by the end of the first period. A clutch move from Portia Adams helped lead the Miners with 6 points. Tensaie was key in helping, pacing the Miners with 10 points in the half, but WKU played out their lead by nine with a score of 33-24. By the end of the second half the Miners were able to secure three steals, five assists, and 13 rebounds.
By the third, the Miners had a newfound pep in their step, leading the scoreboard for a majority of the quarter with the help of eight rebounds from Mbengue. However, by the end of the third quarter WKU played out their lead by nine with a score of 33-24. In the final quarter WKU went on an 8-0 run ultimately claiming the title of victory with 65-59.
UTEP shot 40.4% from the floor, 88.9% from the foul line in the contest and 23.8% from distance. The Miners made one block, four steals, 13 assists and 37 rebounds in total. WKU shot 41.8% from the field, 78.9% from the foul line and 26.7% from the deep. In total there were 11 assists, 32 rebounds, eight steals and three blocks.
UTEP has one more contest for a home game, with the Miners taking 1-10 rival New Mexico State on Feb. 8.
Catching Marginot is a contributor and can be reached at hcmarginot@miners.utep.edu.
