UTEP WBB Endures Tough Loss at WKU

An all too familiar sluggish start put the Miners in a hole that they couldn't get out off, despite a strong finish as they fell to Western Kentucky 78-65 on Thursday evening in Bowling Green.   The Miners (13-10, 6-6 C-USA) trailed by 27 (44-17) with 3:29 to play in the first half, but they made the Lady Toppers (17-7, 9-3 C-USA) sweat by fighting back to get within five (66-61) with 2:45 remaining in regulation. Included in that was an 11-0 run to close the first half, setting the stage for the second half.

UTEP has now lost four of their last five games heading to play at Marshall on Saturday at 11 a.m. MST. Ariona Gill scored 19 points and Michelle Pruitt added a career-high 17 points. Pruitt was a perfect 8-8 from the floor to post the seventh contest in program history with 100.0 percent shooting, with a minimum of.seven attempts.

Gallegos added nine points, seven boards and four assists, while Zec had seven points and seven rebounds. Sabine Lipe pitched in seven points and four assists. The Miners went on an 11-0 run to end the first half and ended up connecting on 50.0 percent (28-56) from the floor, but it was hindered by committing 19 turnovers that led to 23 points for the home side.

Following the game Coach Baker said, “We dug ourselves way too big of a hole early, this team being this team, they fight back to get within five points in the fourth quarter. We expend too much energy, and we can’t get all the way back. The lights are pretty bright for our young kids early, but when they get in the flow of it they’re fine.”

You can listen to the Miners game at Marshall from Huntington, WV with the Iceman on 600 ESPN El Paso.