PORTLAND, Ore. – Ndack Mbengue posted her second straight double-double (career-high matching 14 points, career-best tying 11 rebounds) while three other Miners joined her in double figures for scoring, but the UTEP women’s basketball team was upended at unbeaten Portland, 83-67, Sunday afternoon.
The Miners (4-3) got out quickly with an 8-4 lead less than three minutes into the contest and were down by only two (20-18) at the end of the first quarter against the Pilots (10-0). Portland, however, tallied the first eight points of the second frame to vault out by 10 (28-18).
UTEP continued to fight, eventually whittling the deficit down to four early in the second half. The home side managed to reinstate a double-digit advantage (62-52) heading to the fourth quarter. The Miners clawed back within six (66-59) only to have the Pilots close out the contest on a 17-8 push to snuff out the rally.
Ivane Tensaie (14 points), Dunja Zecevic (10 points) and Luisa Vydrova (10) all turned in double-digit scoring efforts to support Mbengue. Delma Zita contributed across the board with five points, a career-best equaling six rebounds and seven assists. It marks her third straight contest with at least six helpers.
The Orange and Blue shot it well, knocking down 44.6 percent (25-56) from the floor, including 38.5 percent (5-13) on 3-pointers. UTEP was stellar at the charity stripe, filling up 80 percent (12-15) of its tosses. Mbengue keyed the charge by making a career-high tying eight tries on nine attempts.
Portland was even better, however, drilling 50.0 percent (30-60) from the floor. It connected on 10 triples (on 30 attempts) and finished a perfect 13-13 on free throws. The Pilots also took advantage of 21 UTEP turnovers that they converted into 18 points.
Maisie Burnham poured in 25 points to pace a quartet of players in double figures for Portland.
The Miners continue their three-game away spell Saturday (12/14) at Utah Tech. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. MT.
