UTEP Women's Basketball: Miners Run Over St. Mary's In Exhibition

Sparkle Taylor scored 20 points off the bench to go along with a 7/8 shooting performance from the floor, leading UTEP to a 77-50 exhibition rout of St. Mary's (Texas).

After a slow 1/7 shooting start for the Miners, a three pointer from Irene Gari started a 14-4 UTEP run that would help the Miners race out to an early 21-12 lead at the 7:50 mark of the first frame.

Taylor had 13 first half points which gave UTEP a 37-23 lead going into the halftime break.

Out of the second half gates, Cameasha Turner scored seven straight points charging a 7-2 UTEP run that would eventually turn into an 18-5 UTEP run capped off by another bucket from Taylor with 10:49 to play.

A pair of Rudiane Eduardo free throws at the 6:52 mark gave the Miners a 66-34 lead in marking the largest margin of the evening.

Turner and freshman guard Lulu McKinney each scored 10 points, while Eduardo finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds.  Stacie Telles added 8 assists, freshman forward Daeshianna McCants chipped in 8 points, adding 4 rebounds for the Miners who opened the bench during the final seven minutes.

Morgan Pullins led the Rattlers with 26 points, and 10 rebounds.

Although the Miners played that tough, signature Keith Adams smothering style defense, and after the game she tells us she wants the team to take on that defensive identity they displayed that sparked the huge second half run.

UTEP forced 18 turnovers by using their length, and athleticism.  The Miners defensive efforts also held St. Mary's to under 30 percent shooting from the floor on the evening.

McKinney recorded two steals, showing quick hands on defense, and a play making knack on the offensive end.

It was thorough dominance as UTEP lead for almost the entire game, though the 2014 WNIT runner ups still have some work to do.

The Miners allowed 14 offensive rebounds, and came out sluggish on offense fresh off the opening tip, though they did finish with 8 fast break points, while shooting 48 percent from the field, and a 6 out of 15 mark from three point land for the game.

UTEP went on to out rebound the Rattlers 50-33 in the contest, also the Miners shot 70 percent as a team from the charity stripe.

Its back to the practice floor tomorrow morning as the Miners open the regular season next Friday November 14th against the NMSU Aggies at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time, part of a opening game double header with the UTEP men.