After a strong season, several UTEP women's basketball representatives earned postseason awards from Conference USA, as announced on Tuesday. UTEP (19-10, 12-8 C-USA) will look to continue their season into the league tournament as a fourth seed, with LA Tech (5th seed) being their quarterfinals opponent.

600 ESPN El Paso will have the coverage of the C-USA Championships beginning with the men's basketball matchup against Western Kentucky (8th seed vs. 9th seed) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. MST. The women's game will broadcast on Thursday with a 10:30 a.m. MST tip-off.

Graphic by UTEP Athletics
Graphic by UTEP Athletics
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Head coach Kevin Baker was named Co-Coach of the Year after turning around a disappointing year in 2021-22 (14-15) to a contender in C-USA this season, finishing just one shy of 20 regular season wins. The 19 victories were the most that the Miners had since the 2015-16 season. Baker also did it while reshaping the roster with eight newcomers. This is the fifth time that a UTEP coach has received the Coach of the Year recognition, joining Keitha Adams (2008, 2012, 2016) and Sandra Rushing (1998).

In addition to the honor, Baker qualifies for different incentives in his contract. In August 2021, Baker received a two-year contract extension through the 2023-2024 that pays him an annual base salary of $249,000.

One of the incentives in Baker's contract is C-USA Coach of the Year, stating he will receive one month annual base salary ($20,750) if he receives the honor. Other incentives include beating NM State ($1,000) and making an NIT appearance ($5,000). If the Miners play postseason basketball in the NIT, Baker could earn over $26,000 in total incentives for this season.

Kevin Baker Contract

Standout guard Jazion Jackson was named to the first team All C-USA team, as she wrapped up her first season in which she led the squad at 12.2 points per game, along with 5.8 rebounds per game. She becomes the second player named to the first team in the last seven years.

Forward Elina Arike was named Defensive Player of the Year in C-USA, becoming the first UTEP player in history having earned the recognition. She was on the second team All C-USA list as well. She has blocked 14 shots this season, along with 22 steals as part of a team that ranks third in C-USA in scoring defense. Arike averages 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while hitting 48.9 percent of her attempts from the floor.

Full C-USA Awards List:
Player of the Year
Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA

Defensive Player of the Year
Elina Arike, UTEP

Freshman of the Year
Aniya Hubbard, Florida Atlantic

Sixth Player of the Year
Kseniya Malashka, Middle Tennessee

Co-Coach of the Year
Rick Insell, Middle Tennessee
Kevin Baker, UTEP

Newcomer of the Year
Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA

2022-23 All-Conference USA First Team
Dazia Lawrence, Charlotte
Jada McMillian, Charlotte
Keiunna Walker, LA Tech
Savannah Wheeler, Middle Tennessee
Courtney Whitson, Middle Tennessee
Quincy Noble, North Texas
Jazion Jackson, UTEP
Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA

2022-23 All-Conference USA Second Team
Kaliah Henderson, FIU
Aniya Hubbard, Florida Atlantic
Anna Larr Roberson, LA Tech
Jalynn Gregory, Middle Tennessee
Ashlee Austin, Rice
Malia Fisher, Rice
Margaret Whitley, UAB
Elina Arike, UTEP

2022-23 Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Sifa Joyeuse, FIU
Aniya Hubbard, Florida Atlantic
Denim DeShields, UAB
Sidney Love, UTSA
Acacia Hayes, WKU

2022-23 Conference USA All-Defensive Team
Aniya Hubbard, Florida Atlantic
Keiunna Walker, LA Tech
Elina Arike, UTEP
Elyssa Coleman, UTSA
Jaylin Foster, WKU

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