UTEP completes season sweep of NMSU in Battle of I-10
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The UTEP women’s basketball team earned a 69–58 road victory over NM State on Saturday at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M. With the win, the Miners improved to 12–13 overall and 4–10 in Conference USA play, completing a season sweep of the Aggies for the first time since the 2022–23 season.
UTEP delivered a balanced and efficient performance, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and knocking down 14-of-16 free throws (87.5 percent). The Miners controlled the paint with a commanding 32–10 advantage and turned defense into offense, outscoring NM State 11–5 in points off turnovers. UTEP also held the Aggies to 33.3 percent shooting from the floor, helping neutralize a bench scoring disadvantage.
Five Miners scored in double figures, led by Delma Zita, who posted a season-high 14 points and tied her season best with six assists. Portia Adams added 14 points, while Ndack Mbengue recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and a season-high-tying 14 rebounds. Heaven Samayoa-Mathis chipped in 13 points, and Ivane Tensaie rounded out the scoring effort with 10.
“Big win today, this was an important game for us,” head coach Keitha Adams said. “Total team effort. Free throws, rebounds, and five players in double figures is a tremendous performance. The team really played hard, and it was fun to coach and watch.”
UTEP opened the scoring as Tensaie converted a free throw prior to tip following a technical foul on NM State. The Aggies answered with an early run, but Adams helped keep the Miners within striking distance with a pair of finishes inside. Tensaie and Zita added timely baskets to knot the score at 9–9 midway through the quarter. Mbengue continued to battle in the paint, though a late NM State three sent UTEP into the second quarter trailing 14–11.
The Miners gained momentum in the second period behind Tensaie, who drained a three to tie the game before adding two pull-up jumpers. Samayoa-Mathis connected from beyond the arc as UTEP built a narrow cushion. NM State countered with transition buckets and a late three, but a cutting layup from freshman Brooklyn Terry and free throws from Mbengue allowed UTEP to take a 29–28 lead into halftime.
UTEP came out of the break with purpose, opening the third quarter on a 7–2 run and forcing an early NM State timeout. The Miners extended the surge to 13–2 behind a three from Zita and a pull-up jumper by freshman Aolani Woldai. Mbengue then took over inside, converting multiple second-chance opportunities and capitalizing on turnovers as UTEP stretched its lead to as many as 16. A late layup by Samayoa-Mathis capped the quarter, giving the Miners a 55–42 advantage heading into the final frame.
Zita opened the fourth with a quick three-pointer, and UTEP continued to apply pressure at the rim and at the free-throw line, pushing the margin to as many as 19. NM State made a late push, but the Miners remained composed, closing out the 69–58 victory to complete the season sweep of the Aggies.
NM State was led by Keira Hudson with 15 points, while Imani Warren and Loes Rozing added 10 apiece. by Keira Hudson’s 15 points, with Imani Warren and Loes Rozing adding 10 apiece.
UP NEXT
UTEP returns to the Don Haskins Center for its final two home games of the season, hosting Jax State (Feb. 26) before welcoming Kennesaw State (Feb. 28) for Senior Day.
