EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive grit and offensive struggles, the UTEP Miners remained undefeated, outlasting the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 64-60 in overtime Saturday at the Don Haskins Center.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 941, saw both teams labor from the field, but UTEP’s dominance on the offensive glass and a clutch three-pointer late in overtime proved to be the difference. The victory pushed the Miners to a perfect 4-0 start to the season, while the Skyhawks fell to 1-4.

Neither team could establish a significant lead in regulation, with the largest advantage for either side being just six points. The game was a defensive slugfest, with both teams shooting under 33 percent from the floor. UTEP managed to connect on just 23 of 70 field goal attempts, while Tennessee-Martin finished 24 of 62. From beyond the arc, the teams were a combined 9 for 45.

The Miners’ saving grace was their relentless work on the boards, where they corralled a staggering 20 offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. This helped offset their 14 turnovers and paltry four assists on the night. Tennessee-Martin, by contrast, secured only six offensive rebounds but distributed the ball more effectively with eight assists and recorded eight steals.

UTEP’s Mary Moses Amaniyo, a 6-foot-1 forward from Arua, Uganda, was the primary catalyst for the Miners. She logged a game-high 18 points, consistently capitalizing on put-back chances and drawing fouls. Her presence in the paint was complemented by key contributions from Ivane Tensaie, who scored 15 points, including a critical three-pointer with three seconds left in overtime to give UTEP a 62-59 lead. Portia Adams added 13 points and four assists for the Miners.

The Skyhawks were led by the duo of Kenley McCarn and Zakheria Thompson, who each tallied 15 points. McCarn, who played 44 of a possible 45 minutes, also dished out five assists. Sidni Middleton added 10 points in the losing effort.

Tennessee-Martin held a narrow 52-49 lead with under a minute to play in regulation after a jumper from Middleton. Following a timeout, UTEP executed its play to perfection, finding Tensaie for a game-tying three-pointer with just four seconds on the clock, sending the game to an extra period tied at 52.

In overtime, the teams traded baskets until the final minute. With UTEP clinging to a 59-57 lead, McCarn was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly sank both free throws to tie the game with 21 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, UTEP’s Delma Zita found Tensaie for her second clutch three of the game, giving the Miners a lead they would not relinquish. Zita, who finished with four points, then sealed the victory by making two free throws after a technical foul in the final second.

The game was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Despite an identical number of possessions, 73 for each team, UTEP managed a slightly more effective offensive rating of 88.2 compared to Tennessee-Martin’s 82.5. The Miners also scored 19 points off Skyhawks turnovers, a key factor in a game where every possession was critical.

UTEP will look to continue its winning streak on the road against Missouri-Kansas City on Tuesday. Tennessee-Martin, still seeking its second win, will have a break before traveling to face Lipscomb on Dec. 4.