Blue Raiders Outmaneuver Miners at Don Haskins Center
The UTEP Miners faced a challenging contest against the Blue Raiders, concluding with a score of 56-41. The Miners' season record now stands at 0-0, while the Blue Raiders also maintain an even 0-0 slate. Despite a strong start in the first quarter with 15 points to the Blue Raiders' 11, the Miners struggled to keep pace as their opponents gradually built their lead.
The UTEP Miners showcased determination on their home court at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, but it wasn't enough to secure victory against Middle Tennessee's Blue Raiders. The home team managed to accumulate a total of 36 rebounds and demonstrated defensive effort with five steals, matching that of the visitors. However, they were outperformed in assists with only four compared to eleven by Middle Tennessee.
Offensively, the Miners had difficulty finding their rhythm from beyond the arc, converting only one out of seven three-point attempts for a low fourteen percent success rate. In contrast, Middle Tennessee capitalized on their long-range shooting by sinking eleven three-point shots from twenty-five attempts which translated into an impressive forty-four percent accuracy.
UTEP did find some success inside by scoring twenty points in paint and making seventeen two-point field goals on forty-eight attempts; however, this thirty-five percent conversion rate was not sufficient when paired with an overall field goal percentage of thirty-three percent from fifty-five attempts. Free throw opportunities were also scarce for UTEP as they made just four out of seven free throws.
On defense, both teams showed parity in steals but Middle Tennessee edged ahead with five blocks compared to just one for UTEP. Personal fouls were higher for the home team who committed eleven fouls over Middle Tennessee's seven.
Despite these challenges faced by UTEP during this conference game witnessed by an attendance of 1,411 fans and marked by eight times tied and seven lead changes throughout its duration; there were notable efforts such as securing nine offensive rebounds which contributed to six second-chance points.
Looking ahead after this encounter at Don Haskins Center is another opportunity for redemption as UTEP prepares for its next game against Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters at Thomas Assembly Center located in Ruston LA scheduled on February 22nd at 6:00 PM Central Time Zone (CT). Fans eager to support can tune into future broadcasts or attend live if possible.