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The UTEP women's basketball team will try to avenge last seasons C-USA sweep by SMU as both teams renew their rivalry as non-conference opponents. The Miners have forced their opponents to 24.6 turnovers a game so far this year and are looking for an 8-0 start.
The Miners have had production come from up and down the bench all season, and will face a SMU team that defeated Kansas State and starting a four game road trip that will lead into confrence play.
Kayla Thornton is having an All-Conference and possible All-American season, as she has lead the pace in scoring and rebounding.
Depth is the strength against the Mustangs as 10 different Miners average more than 10 minutes a game.
UTEP Miners
Current Record: 7-0, 0-0 C-USA
Key Players:
Kayla Thornton: Sr, F, 6'1, 16,6 ppg, 8.1 rpg
Chrishauna Parker: Jr, G, 5'11, 8.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg
Kristine Vitola, Sr, C, 6'4, 7.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.1 bpg
Team Stats
| Points Per Game | 80.1 |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 52.9 |
| FG% | .434 |
| Opponents FG% | .326 |
| 3-Point FG% | .317 |
| Opponents 3-point FG% | .301 |
| Free Throw % | .677 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 42.6 |
| Rebound Margin | +4.7 |
| Assist Per Game | 13.1 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 14.6 |
SMU Mustangs
Current Record: 7-1, 0-0 AAC
Key Players:
Keena Mays, Sr, G, 5'7, 18.2 ppg, 5,8 ppg, 5.4 apg
Akil Simpson Sr, F, 6'0, 13.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg
Dynstee Hives-McCray Jr, F, 6'0, 11.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Team Stats
| Points Per Game | 76.1 |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 65.1 |
| FG% | .407 |
| Opponents FG% | .387 |
| 3-Point FG% | .272 |
| Opponents 3-point FG% | .292 |
| Free Throw % | .709 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 45.1 |
| Rebound Margin | +5.1 |
| Assist Per Game | 18.6 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 14.3 |
After an eventful weekend in Atlantis last weekend, the UTEP Miners return home for nine of their next ten contests. After going 1-2 in the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Miners are even at 4-4, though have the 5th toughest schedule in the nation so far.
The return and importance of McKenzie Moore was evident with the Miners 78-70 opening round win
against Tennessee, the offense goes as he goes.
Justin Crosgile has added a veteran presence at guard, and while he is not a "true shooter" he has carried the load from the behind the arc so far, he has also provided much needed versatility and poise. I believe he has earned himself 30+ minutes a game, consistency is the key for that to happen.
There is no doubt this team can still defend, and with the added dimensions of the ever switching defenses by coach Floyd has gave the Miners an advantage against teams that do not see that very often.
Sacramento State comes in at 2-3, after losing their worst home loss in 14 years in a 79-53 loss to UC Irvine. This is the first ever match up between the Miners and the Hornets who hail from the Big Sky Conference.
The Hornets have been led so far by the guard scoring combo of Dylan Garrity andMikh McKinney.
After dominating their opening game of the season on defense, the Hornets have been torched, giving up 75.6 points a game, while allowing .532 percent shooting from the floor in their last four
Senior forward Jordan Salley has provided some points of the bench and shoots the ball very well, and can also really jump out of the gym.
The Hornets have only player that is 6'10, this could be a game that could jump
Sacramento State Hornets
Current Record: 2-3, 0-0 Big Sky
Head Coach: Brian Katz, 44-105 overall, 6th year
Key Players
Dylan Garrity Jr, PG, 6'2 175, 14.0 ppg, 14-31 3-point FG's,
Mikh McKinney, Jr, G, 6'1 165, 13.4 ppg, .438 FG%
Cody Demps, So, F, 6'4 200, 8.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Team Stats
| Points Per Game | 63.0 |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 69.8 |
| FG% | .416 |
| Opponents FG% | .484 |
| 3-Point FG% | .337 |
| Opponents 3-point FG% | .411 |
| Free Throw % | .670 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 31.4 |
| Rebound Margin | -2.0 |
| Assist Per Game | 11.8 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 14.2 |
UTEP MINERS
Leaders:
McKenzie Moore, 13.6 ppgg, 4.6 rpg
Julian Washburn, 10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 8 steals
Vince Hunter, 9.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Team Stats
| Points Per Game | 71.0 |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 69.8 |
| FG% | .450 |
| Opponents FG% | .382 |
| 3-Point FG% | .333 |
| Opponents 3-point FG% | .293 |
| Free Throw % | .667 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 35.4 |
| Rebound Margin | -4.6 |
| Assist Per Game | 13.5 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 12.9 |
Make sure to stay tuned to MinerRush for more information on all things UTEP sports, and make sure to Follow @sbnminerrush on Twitter for live updates throughout the game from the Haskins Center . Picks Up, and Go Miners!