The UTEP women's basketball team encountered yet another challenging outing on the court, succumbing to a 58-48 defeat at the hands of Liberty University. This setback further complicates the Miners' campaign in Conference USA, leaving them with a 2-10 record in league play and an overall mark of 10-13 for the season. Meanwhile, the Flames from Liberty improved their standing to 6-6 in conference action and 12-11 overall.
The narrative of this contest was written in the opening minutes, as UTEP found itself in an insurmountable hole before the game had barely begun. The Miners suffered through a nightmarish slow start, surrendering the first dozen points of the matchup without answer. Liberty came out firing on all cylinders, converting five of their first six field goal attempts, including a pair of three-pointers that quickly established their offensive rhythm. In stark contrast, UTEP misfired on their initial three shots and committed two costly turnovers, resulting in a daunting 12-0 deficit in under three minutes of play.
By the conclusion of the first quarter, the situation had grown even more dire. The Miners trailed 24-8, having dug themselves a 16-point chasm that would prove too deep to escape. UTEP's shooting woes were particularly pronounced in that opening period, as they managed to connect on just three of fifteen attempts from the floor—a meager 20% conversion rate. Liberty, conversely, enjoyed a far more efficient 10-of-17 performance, good for nearly 59% shooting.
Despite the overwhelming early adversity, the Miners demonstrated commendable resilience and refused to capitulate. The second quarter witnessed a spirited response from UTEP, who opened the period with a 9-2 run that trimmed the margin to nine points. This surge injected a measure of hope into the UTEP bench and suggested that a comeback might be within reach. However, Liberty promptly stabilized and maintained a comfortable cushion, effectively trading baskets with the Miners for the remainder of the contest.
The final two and a half quarters unfolded as a relatively even affair, with both squads exchanging scoring possessions and defensive stops. The statistical ledger from that point forward reflects this parity, as UTEP actually outshot Liberty 41% to 37% for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately for the Miners, the damage inflicted during those first ten minutes was irreversible. No matter how valiantly they fought, they could never slice the deficit to fewer than nine points.
The rebounding battle told a similar story of first-half dominance by the Flames followed by second-half adjustment by the Miners. Liberty controlled the glass in the opening half, securing a commanding 23-12 advantage on the boards. After intermission, UTEP managed to narrow that gap significantly, finishing the second half with a much more competitive 14-13 rebounding margin. Nevertheless, the overall discrepancy in possessions and second-chance opportunities established during the first two quarters had already tilted the scales decisively.
Individual performances for UTEP were highlighted by forward Mary Moses Amaniyo, who earned her third starting assignment of the season and responded with a team-leading 13 points and eight rebounds. Her effort on both ends of the floor provided a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing result. Amaniyo's production was particularly crucial given that she was the sole Miner to reach double figures in scoring. Several teammates came close to joining her in that category, with Ivane Tensaie, Heaven Samoya-Mathis, and Ndack Mbengue each contributing nine points. The balanced yet ultimately insufficient scoring distribution underscored the team's struggle to find consistent offensive firepower.
This defeat marks a frustrating return to conference losses for UTEP, who had recently managed to snap a seven-game skid with a victory over rival New Mexico State. That triumph had offered a glimmer of optimism and suggested that the Miners might be turning a corner. However, the performance against Liberty indicates that significant challenges remain as the team navigates the competitive landscape of Conference USA.
Looking ahead, the Miners face a quick turnaround with one of their earliest tip-offs in recent memory. On Saturday morning, UTEP will travel to Delaware for a 10 a.m. Mountain Time tip-off (noon local time). The contest will be available for streaming on ESPN+, giving fans an opportunity to watch the team attempt to bounce back from this latest setback. The unusual start time presents an additional logistical challenge for a squad already grappling with consistency issues.
The implications of this loss extend beyond just another mark in the loss column. With the conference tournament approaching, every game becomes increasingly critical for seeding and momentum. UTEP's current 2-10 conference record places them near the bottom of the Conference USA standings, making each remaining matchup a must-win scenario if they hope to climb into a more favorable tournament position. The team's inability to avoid slow starts has emerged as a recurring theme that head coach Kevin Baker must address urgently. When a squad consistently finds itself trailing by double digits before finding its rhythm, the margin for error becomes virtually nonexistent.
Defensively, the Miners showed flashes of competence, particularly in the second half when they limited Liberty to 37% shooting. However, the 24 points surrendered in the first quarter represented a breakdown in communication and execution that simply cannot happen at this level of competition. The Flames' ability to generate clean looks from beyond the arc during their initial surge set the tone and forced UTEP to play from behind throughout.
For the Miners to salvage their season and make a meaningful run in the conference tournament, several adjustments appear necessary. First and foremost, the team must develop a more reliable offensive approach in the opening minutes. Whether through scripted plays, increased player movement, or simply improved shot selection, UTEP cannot afford to continue these habitual slow starts. Additionally, the rebounding effort must be more consistent across all four quarters. While the second-half improvement against Liberty was encouraging, the first-half disparity created too many extra possessions for the opposition.
The performance of Mary Moses Amaniyo offers a potential blueprint for future success. Her ability to contribute on the glass while also serving as a scoring threat demonstrates the two-way impact the Miners need from their frontcourt. If she can maintain this level of production and receive more consistent support from the backcourt and wing players, UTEP may yet find a winning formula.
As the regular season winds down, the Miners' focus must shift to maximizing their potential in each remaining game. The contest against Delaware represents an opportunity to reset and refocus before returning to conference play. While the early start time is unconventional, it also offers a chance for the team to demonstrate mental toughness and adaptability—qualities that will serve them well in tournament situations.
In conclusion, UTEP's loss to Liberty serves as both a reminder of the team's vulnerabilities and a testament to their resilience. The 12-0 opening deficit was a hole too deep to escape, yet the Miners' refusal to surrender and their ability to play the Flames evenly for the majority of the game suggests that better results are possible. The challenge now lies in translating that second-half competitiveness into complete, four-quarter performances. With Mary Moses Amaniyo emerging as a reliable leader and the team showing glimpses of its potential, the Miners have the pieces necessary to finish the season on a positive note. However, time is running short, and the margin for error has all but disappeared.