UTEP Knocks Off Houston Baptist in a Thrilling Seesaw Battle

The UTEP Women's basketball team improved to 5-1 following a tremendous back and forth battle with HBU on Saturday at the Don Haskins Center.  The Miners 69-62 win concluded a six-game home stand, which ties a record for the second longest in program history to begin a season.  More importantly, UTEP displayed resiliency and overcame adversity following their first loss of the season to UNM on Thursday night.

Down 31-26 at the half, the Miners came out inspired in the third quarter and made numerous crucial adjustments.  To put it into perspective of how close this game was, there were eight ties and seven lead changes.  Clutch is the appropriate word to described how the Miners played in the final quarter of play though.  The final several minutes of the game consisted of nine straight points, all of which were treys.  The Miners sealed the deal as Jordan Alexander nailed a jumper with 21 seconds left to play.

UTEP set season highs for 3-pointers made with 10, and set a season high by shooting 47.6 percent from downtown, including going 6-8 from distance in the final frame to help complete the comeback. The Miners also won the boards 44-32 while holding HBU to 38.1 percent, 24-63 from the floor, including 19 percent, 4-21 from the arc.  Senior Tamara Seda recorded her fourth straight double-double with 18 points, 16 rebounds, while junior Najala Howell poured in a season-high tying 19 points.

Sophomore Roeshonda Patterson provided a spark off the bench with a career-high matching 11 points to join Howell and Seda in double figures. Freshman Jordan Jenkins pitched in six points to go along with six assists.  The Miners will return to action at Arkansas State at 4 p.m. MST next Tuesday.  It is the first road game of season for UTEP, as they will play the next nine games away from the friendly confines of the Don.