UTEP off to best start in Keith Adams era with 80-49 victory

In order for head coach Keitha Adams to make her 2011-12 season her best start at UTEP, they had to avenge a loss from last season against an undefeated Denver squad. The Miners did that in convincing fashion, beating the Pioneers 80-49 Nov. 26 at the Don Haskins Center to improve to 5-0 on the season.

"When the ball goes in, it makes everything better. I think we had a great three days of preparation," Adams said. "They're a really good team and the thing about them is that they are veterans, returners…they play well together.

 With Denver still hanging on midway through the first half, UTEP used an 8-0 run to open up a 34-17 lead and take a 40-26 advantage into halftime.

The Miners kept things rolling in the second half, opening it with a 12-3 run then putting the Pioneers away with a 25-11 advantage over the next 11 minutes. During that span, UTEP gave up three field goals and forced seven turnovers.

The Miners shot 53.6 percent from the field in the second half, as compared to their 34 percent start in the first half. Sophomore forward Kayla Thornton called the game a well-played, overall effort for the team.

"I think we played really well. You know, we played this team (Denver) last year and didn't do as well but I think we came back, focused on what we needed to work on and we executed our game plan very well," Thornton said.

UTEP outrebounded Denver 51-31 and had eight more assists then their opponent. The Miners held the Pioneers to 1-of-9 shooting from three, including 0-of-4 in the second half.

"I think we just executed, did what coach told us to do as far as defense and offense," sophomore guard Kelli Willingham said. "We just played together as a team."

UTEP struggled offensively to begin the game, missing their first five shots but made up for it from the free-throw line. The Miners' first seven points came from the line, going 7-of-8 during that span. UTEP's first field goal came at the 15:18 mark when Willingham hit a three to extend the lead to 10-2.

The Miners went 2-of-13 from the field to start the game but hit eight of their last 16 shots to end the half. Denver had the game's first six fouls of the game and sent UTEP to the line 18 times in the first half.

The Miners built their lead up to double digits on three separate occasions before going on an 8-0 run, pushing their lead to 34-17 off another three by Willingham. She finished with eight points in the first half.

UTEP was led by junior forward Kristine Vitola's 11 points and seven rebounds in the first half but the Miners had trouble with Pioneer senior forward Kaetlyn Murdoch. She had 15 of the first 21 Devner points and finished the half with five rebounds.

"(Murdoch) is a legit player. They do what they do offensively that causes a lot of problems last year. We learned from that experience in how we played them this time and the girls did a great job executing," Adams said.

Despite the start, Adams feels this team can still improve but she believes they have the willingness to do that.

"Until this team hangs a banner, we haven't done anything," Adams said. "There's one team right now that everyone knows took care of business. I think we have the pieces of the puzzle to do some special things with this team."

UTEP will look to improve to 6-0 when they take on NMSU for the second time this season at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Don Haskins Center.

William Vega may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.