EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP women’s basketball team opened its 2026‑27 campaign with a 2‑0 record after defeating the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals 74‑68 on Saturday afternoon at GECU Arena in the Don Haskins Center.
Key performances
Four Miners scored in double figures. Senior forward Isabel João led the way with 13 points and a team‑high 11 rebounds, recording her first double‑double at UTEP. Junior guard Mary Moses Amaniyo matched João’s scoring total with 13 points and added five rebounds. Junior forward Imani Warren contributed 11 points and three assists, while freshman guard Krista Lukasevica rounded out the double‑figure scorers with 10 points. Reserve guard Armanda Sindalawa added eight points and a team‑high five assists.
Statistical edge
UTEP out‑shot UIW 45.8% to 40.9% from the field and 41.7% to 32.0% from three‑point range. The Cardinals held a slight advantage at the free‑throw line, 70.6% to UTEP’s 62.5%. The Miners posted 27‑of‑59 shooting, pulled down 36 rebounds, dished out 17 assists and recorded nine steals. They also scored 40 points in the paint, added 22 points from bench players and turned UIW’s 17 turnovers into 15 points.
Game flow
UTEP overcame an early 5‑2 deficit, using a 7‑0 run to take a 9‑5 lead early in the first quarter. João’s eight points, including two three‑pointers, helped the Miners build a seven‑point advantage before UIW trimmed the gap to 21‑18 at the end of the period.
The Cardinals kept the contest close in the second quarter, narrowing the lead to 29‑27 with just over five minutes left. UTEP responded with an 11‑2 run, highlighted by four points from Sindalawa, and stretched the lead to a season‑high 40‑29 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. UIW closed the half on a 5‑0 run, leaving UTEP with a 40‑34 advantage at halftime.
UIW opened the second half with an 8‑0 surge to take a 42‑40 lead early in the third quarter. Warren answered with a jumper to tie the game, and senior guard Aolani Woldai hit a three‑pointer to restore UTEP’s lead at 45‑42. The Miners extended the margin to seven points before UIW fought back to 52‑50 entering the fourth quarter.
In the final period, UTEP opened with a 7‑0 run, highlighted by another three‑pointer from Woldai, pushing the lead to 59‑50. UIW cut the deficit to three points with 4:15 left, but the Miners answered with timely baskets. UIW narrowed the gap to four points with 27 seconds remaining, but Sindalawa’s two free throws in the closing seconds sealed the 74‑68 victory.
Coach’s perspective
Head coach Keitha Adams praised the effort, saying, “This was a good win for us. We knew we had to come ready to play, and I thought we were very effective on the boards, took care of the ball and executed well down the stretch in the fourth quarter. We had balanced scoring, and overall, it was a great team win.”
The win gives the Miners confidence as they look ahead to their next non‑conference matchup, continuing a promising start to the season.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
