UTEP Women Defeat Riverside 73-62 to Sweep California Road Trip

For the second time in two nights, the UTEP women's basketball team built up a huge first half lead. However, this time the Miners pulled away late in the fourth quarter to top UC Riverside 73-62 in their final non-conference game. Najala Howell led UTEP with a career-high 23 points and Tamara Seda added 21 points and 14 rebounds to pace the Miners.

"I think that being in this situation last night really helped us tonight," UTEP head coach Kevin Baker told 600 ESPN El Paso after the game. "Again we gritted our teeth and figured out a way to win. I’m proud of the team. It was a great road trip for us."

Zuzanna Puc came off the bench to score 15 points off the bench in her best game of the season. The Miners (9-4) led by as many as 23 points and led by 17 with six minutes to play before the Highlanders (3-11) scored the next 12 points to make it 67-62. Howell hit a huge three-point shot and UTEP closed to game on a 6-0 run to seal the win. Faith Cook, who finished with seven points and six assists, set up both field goals down the stretch.

The Miners return to action on Friday when they begin Conference USA play in Miami against FIU. Brandon Cohn will call the action on 600 ESPN El Paso.