UTEP Women’s Basketball: Southern Miss wears down UTEP 79-68

Southern Miss shot 58.2 percent from the field on the afternoon, and also scored on 58 percent of their offensive possessions to pull away from UTEP in the fourth quarter 79-68.

Brittany Dinkins had her way offensively in the first half, scoring 14 points helping the Golden Eagles grab a 38-29 lead at halftime.

Southern Miss shot 64.3 percent from the field in the first half, while the Miners went 1-for-6 from behind the 3-point line and shot 40 percent from the floor in the opening half.

UTEP would make their first five looks from the field in the second half, including a 3-pointer from Lulu McKinney, then a bucket from Tamara Seda trimmed the lead to 44-40 with 6:28 left in the third quarter.

A 3-pointer from Naj Howell brought UTEP within a bucket down 47-45 with 3:18 left in the third, although Southern Miss outscored UTEP 9-4 for the rest of the quarter to take control.

Southern Miss took a 56-49 lead into the fourth quarter, then led 60-51 with nine minutes left in the game.

The Miners cut it four just two minutes later, then were down six with 2:36 left, but were just unable to get stops the entire fourth quarter as Dinkins finished with 29 points leading an efficient offensive effort fueled by UTEP turnovers.

Sparkle Taylor had another solid game for UTEP scoring 21 points, and handed out six asssts. She also shot 9-for-15 from the field.

Seda ended the afternoon with 14 points and 17 rebounds, Howell added 12 points. UTEP shot 49.1 percent from the field, and out rebounded Southern Miss 35-23.

22 UTEP turnovers put 30 points on the board for Southern Miss. 22 of those coming off fast breaks.

UTEP (4-11, 1-2) hits the road for a Florida road swing next starting at FIU on Thursday, then ends with FAU on Saturday.