March 7, 2008

Box Score

Notes

Quotes

ORLANDO, Fla. - League MVP Jareica Hughes scored a post season school record 33 points, 29 in the second half, and top-seeded UTEP shot 51 percent from the floor en route to an 80-71 victory over No. 9 Rice in game eight of the 2008 Conference USA Women's Basketball Championship at the UCF Arena in Orlando, Fla.

Hughes, a sophomore, also dished out a game-high seven assists and added five rebounds and three steals. She was 11-of-21 from the floor and a perfect 11-of-11 at the free throw line. Her 33 points was the eighth best total in program history and her free throw total was the most ever for a Miner who did not miss from the line.

The Miners trailed at the break 34-28, thanks to the Owls Valeriy Berezhynska who netted 13 first half points. Teammate Kadie Riverin chipped in with 11 in the first stanza.

UTEP grabbed its first lead of the second half at 43-42 on a layup by Timika Williams and never relinquished the lead. UTEP stretched its lead to 61-47 with seven minutes left in the game, completing a seven minute stretch where they outscored Rice 30-7.

The Miners' Izabela Piekarska scored 14 points and grabbed a team-high tying six rebounds. Piekarska's play inside helped her team to a 38-14 advantage on points in the paint.

Kasia Krezel also notched double figures with 12 points, while Williams added five points and six rebounds in the win.

Riverin led the Owls in the losing effort with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists. Berezhynska finished with 16 points and eight boards, while Maudess Fulton tallied 15 points and four rebounds.

With the win, UTEP is now a school record 26-2. The semifinal appearance for the Miners will be their first in a conference championship since 1995.

Rice finishes its season with a 14-18 mark.

No. 1 UTEP advances to face No. 5 Southern Miss in Saturday's second semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. EST on CSTV.