EL PASO, Texas (Interstat) — A dominant second-quarter surge propelled the UTEP women’s basketball team to a decisive 82-71 victory over Delaware in a non-conference matchup Friday night at the Don Haskins Center.

The Miners, improving to 9-3 overall, used a 26-point second period to erase an early deficit and establish a lead they would not relinquish. The Blue Hens, who led 23-17 after the first quarter, saw their record fall to 6-7.

The game’s pivotal shift came in that second frame. After Delaware’s Ella Wanzer opened the quarter with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to nine, UTEP seized control with a 14-2 run. The Miners’ defense ignited the offense, forcing a series of Blue Hen turnovers that led to easy transition baskets. Ndack Mbengue, who finished with a game-high 26 points, was central to the run, scoring eight points during the stretch, including a layup off a Heaven Samayoa-Mathis assist that gave UTEP a 31-26 lead it would not lose.

Delaware’s Safi Kolliegbo, who led her team with 22 points, tried to keep the Blue Hens close, but UTEP’s offensive firepower proved too much. The Miners closed the first half on another burst, capped by a 3-pointer from Ivane Tensaie with under a minute to play, sending UTEP into halftime with a 43-42 advantage.

The third quarter saw UTEP extend its lead decisively. The Miners opened the period with a 13-4 run, fueled by precise outside shooting. Portia Adams and Tensaie connected on consecutive 3-pointers, and a Mbengue layup pushed the lead to 56-46. Tensaie finished the night with 20 points, all but two coming from beyond the arc. Adams orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out eight assists to go with her 10 points.

Delaware, which shot well early, saw its offense stagnate against UTEP’s defensive pressure after the first quarter. The Blue Hens were held to 13 points in the final period. Kailah Correa provided secondary scoring for Delaware with 17 points, but the team struggled to find consistent offense outside of her and Kolliegbo.

UTEP’s balance was key. Sirviva Legions contributed 14 points and played a team-high 38 minutes, while Samayoa-Mathis added six points, three assists, and several key defensive plays. The Miners also dominated the glass, with Mbengue’s activity leading to multiple second-chance opportunities.

The Blue Hens made a brief push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to eight points on a Lay Fantroy hook shot with just over six minutes to play. But UTEP responded immediately, as Legions converted a steal into a layup and, after another Delaware turnover, Tensaie sank a 3-pointer to push the lead back to 13 and effectively seal the game.

The announced attendance at the Don Haskins Center was 957. The game was organized by Conference USA as part of its non-conference scheduling.

Delaware will look to rebound quickly, traveling to face New Mexico State on Sunday. UTEP continues its homestand, also playing Sunday against Liberty. Both games mark the continuation of non-conference play before the teams embark on their respective conference schedules later in January.