The 2025–26 season for the UTEP Miners women’s basketball didn’t end with a championship run, but it did tell a familiar story for fans in El Paso: a team that battled all year, leaned on tough defense and rebounding, and showed flashes of late-game resilience.
That grit was on display again in the opening round of the Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks women’s basketball — the same opponent that had already been part of one of UTEP’s most dramatic wins of the season.
For a program continuing to rebuild, the season was less about a single night and more about the foundation that’s forming around a core of tough, physical players.
Familiar Foe: The Jacksonville State Matchup
Few games better represented the Miners’ season than their late-February battle with Jacksonville State in El Paso.
On Feb. 26, UTEP pulled out a dramatic 66–64 win at home when Heaven Samayoa-Mathis delivered the game-winning basket in the final seconds. The moment capped a tense night that showed how this team could grind through tight finishes.
Offensively, Portia Adams carried much of the scoring load, pouring in 23 points and consistently finding ways to attack the defense. In the paint, Ndack Mbengue anchored the interior with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double, giving UTEP the physical edge it has relied on all year.
That win wasn’t just another conference result. It illustrated the formula the Miners leaned on throughout the season: rebounding strength, timely scoring, and players willing to step up late.
When the two teams met again in the conference tournament, it served as a fitting full-circle moment for the season — the Miners once again facing a program they had already proven they could battle down to the final possession. The Gamecocks take the final matchup of the season. Therefore, ending UTEP’s season in the conference tournament.
The Numbers Behind the Season
From a statistical standpoint, UTEP’s identity remained clear across the year.
The Miners averaged roughly 65–66 points per game while allowing about 69 points per contest, reflecting a team that often played close, defensive-minded games. Possessions tended to be physical and deliberate rather than fast-paced shootouts.
Rebounding was another consistent strength. UTEP pulled down around 35–39 rebounds per game, a figure that frequently kept them competitive even when shots weren’t falling.
Ball movement and discipline were also part of the team’s profile. The Miners averaged about 11–12 assists per game, though turnovers — roughly 16 per contest — sometimes limited offensive efficiency in tighter matchups.
Those numbers tell the story of a group that didn’t overwhelm opponents with scoring but consistently stayed within striking distance.
And in conference play, that style often meant games were decided in the final minutes.
Key Players Who Defined the Year
Several Miners emerged as the backbone of the team’s identity.
Portia Adams provided one of the most reliable offensive presences on the roster. Her ability to attack the basket and score in pressure moments made her one of the most important players in the lineup.
Meanwhile, Ndack Mbengue gave UTEP a physical presence in the paint. Double-digit rebounding performances and interior defense made her a key reason the Miners were competitive on the glass most nights.
Another standout moment came from Heaven Samayoa-Mathis, whose late-game heroics in the February win over Jacksonville State showed the type of clutch scoring the team could produce.
Together, those players represented the core elements of UTEP’s approach: toughness, rebounding, and timely offense.
What It Means for the Program
While the season may not end with a deep tournament run, the bigger picture for UTEP women’s basketball is about stability and growth.
The Miners demonstrated their ability to compete physically in Conference USA and consistently keep games close. That’s a critical step for a program aiming to climb the standings and reestablish itself as a contender in the league.
Close games — even losses — also build experience. Teams that learn to navigate those final possessions often turn them into wins the following season.
For UTEP, the foundation is there: a defensive identity, a reliable rebounding presence, and players capable of stepping up in big moments.
If that core returns and continues developing, the lessons from the 2025–26 season could easily turn into momentum heading into the next campaign.
In a leaguewhere margins are often thin, the Miners proved they’re not far away.
And for a program built on toughness and resilience, that might be the most important takeaway of all.
