UTEP Women's Basketball: UTEP Tops UTSA 67-56

UTEP pounded the paint, and clamped down on their improving defense in a 67-56 win over UTSA in San Antonio Saturday afternoon.

Kayla Thornton was special again, scoring 21 points to go along with 16 rebounds in a game the Miners never trailed.

The Miners held a 59-42 lead with five minutes left to play, though UTSA made a late charge, though the Runners could not overcome a 33.3 shooting percentage from the floor, and just could not keep the athletic Miners off the boards.

Kristine Vitola pounded in 15 points, with 8 rebounds, for the Miners who scored 32 of their  67 points in the paint.

Despite a low shooting percentage for UTEP, the Miners used 16 assists on 23 of their field goals, and crushed UTSA on the glass 57-36.

Freshman Sparkle Taylor was terrific off the bench, she set career highs in points 9, and rebounds 7, adding to the second straight win for UTEP.

Kamra King led UTSA with 16 points, McKenzie Adams added 12 points, and 9 rebounds in the losing effort.

Inside those two wins, UTEP has now had back-to-back 20-plus offensive rebounding efforts, leading to 19 second chance points for the Miners who improve to 4-2 in the C-USA and 15-4 overall.

Next up for the Miners is a home game on Wednesday against Marshall 7:05 PM in the Don Haskins Center.