UTEP became the first team in C-USA to win 20 games on Thursday night by defeating FIU 70-52 in front of 2,517 fans on "National Girls and Women In Sports Day."  The Miners swept the season series against the Panthers, and in doing so improved to 20-2, 11-1 in C-USA, and remain undefeated at home with an impressive 13-0 mark.

The Miners are one win shy of matching their longest unbeaten streak at home in the history of the program, and have now won 20 or more games for the third time in the past four years, and sixth occasion overall under Coach Adams.

The first quarter was close as the Miners held a narrow 15-11 edge as it concluded, but exploded to outscore the Panthers 20-8 in the second quarter, leading to a 35-19 advantage at halftime.  FIU maintained their composure in the second half but could never quite recover from such a poor performance early in the contest, and ultimately fell to the Miners for the second time in less than a three-week span.

The Miners receiving instruction from Coach Adams in the first half of their game against FIU. (Photo by Brandon Cohn)
The Miners receiving instruction from Coach Adams in the first half of their game against FIU. (Photo by Brandon Cohn)
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Jenzel Nash led all scorers for UTEP with 13 points and 6 boards, Cameasha Turner tallied 11, Lawna Kennedy added 11 and Sparkle Taylor contributed with 8 points.  Chrishauna Parker was a force on the boards as she had 9 rebounds to go along with 4 points.  Starr Breedlove and Daeshianna McCants both scored 7 as well to balance out the Miners' offensive attack that featured all 14 players who dressed throughout the contest.

UTEP owned the boards by out-rebounding FIU 49-29, forced the Panthers into committing 27 turnovers, and their bench outscored the Panthers' 24-7.  The Miners dominated the paint by outscoring FIU 36-16.  UTEP will have a quick turn around as they conclude their brief two game home stand against FAU on Saturday at 2:05 p.m.  UTEP will attempt to sweep both Florida teams this season on Saturday as it is buy one get one free day.

You can listen to the game with the Iceman Brandon Cohn and Traci Miller on 600 ESPN El Paso beginning at 2 p.m.

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